Pahalgam: Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Government of India) Debashree Mukherjee has sent an official letter to Syed Ali Murtaza, the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources in Pakistan on Thursday (April 24). The letter addresses concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 between India and Pakistan. India has informed Pakistan that it has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with immediate effect. The decision was made in view of the terrorist attack in Pahlagam, which claimed lives of 26 tourists, including foreign nationals.
The letter explains that India had previously sent notices to Pakistan, asking for changes to the treaty under Article XII (3), citing significant changes in circumstances since the treaty was signed. These changes include major shifts in population demographics, the growing need for clean energy development, and other factors affecting the assumptions made when the treaty was created.
India emphasised that respecting the treaty in good faith is a fundamental obligation. However, India pointed out that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, particularly targeting Jammu and Kashmir, has created security concerns that have hindered India’s ability to fully use its rights under the treaty. Pakistan’s refusal to negotiate, as required by the treaty, is also seen as a violation of the agreement.
In light of these issues, the Government of India has decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, effective immediately.
The letter reads, This is with reference to the Government of India’s notices sent to the Government of Pakistan seeking modification of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 (the Treaty) under Article XII (3) of the Treaty. These communications cited fundamental changes in the circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed that require a reassessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty, read with its Annexures.
2. These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty.
3. The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India’s full utilisation of its rights under the Treaty. Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty.
5. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect.
