Urging India to reconsider the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan wrote a letter in this regard, sources told News 18.
Pakistan wrote to India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti
According to Moneycontrol, an official source told CNN-News18 that Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, wrote a letter to the secretary of India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti while urging to reconsider the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, which has been held in abeyance by India after Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Pak: ‘Treaty contains no provision for being kept in abeyance’
As per sources, Pakistan said, “ We have responded to India’s letters by stating that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully in force and continues to be binding on both parties. The treaty contains no provision for being kept in abeyance. It has proven to be a successful and enduring water-sharing arrangement between the two neighbouring countries, having withstood the tests of wars and diplomatic standoffs.”
‘It is illegal to hold the Indus Water Treaty’
Pakistan further stated that it is illegal to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance as the nation is dependent on agriculture, and India’s decision is an attack on Pakistani people and its economy, the source said.
‘Interests of India will not be toyed’
On the other hand, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the interests of India will not be “toyed” with regards to the Indus water treaty, adding that every drop of India’s share will stay within the country.
‘Now, India won’t compromise’
Speaking to ANI, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “PM said this earlier as well that blood and water won’t flow together. In his address to the nation the day before yesterday, he said that blood and water won’t flow together…Despite the 1965 war, the 1971 war and the Kargil war, India honoured the treaty. But now, the message is clear – now India won’t compromise over this. Now, India’s interests won’t be toyed with.”
“The Indus Water Treaty has been suspended. We have stopped data sharing with them. Every drop of India’s share of water will stay in India. Government is committed to this,” he added.