New Delhi: As India marks one year of Operation Sindoor, the Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance, reflecting New Delhi’s position that terrorism and cooperation cannot coexist.
The treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan, was suspended after the Pahalgam terror attack, marking a major shift in bilateral water-sharing arrangements.
In his Independence Day speech in 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that “blood and water cannot flow together,” calling the treaty unjust and against India’s national interests.
“India has now decided, blood and water will not flow together. The people have realized that the Indus Waters Treaty was unjust. Water from the Indus River system irrigated enemy lands while our farmers suffered,” PM Modi had said.
He further stated that the treaty was unacceptable in the interests of Indian farmers and national development, noting that India had to give up nearly 80 per cent of the water under the agreement.
Former diplomat Dilip Sinha said India had historically been placed at a disadvantage due to Pakistan’s “obstructive” approach under the treaty framework.
Speaking to ANI, Sinha said Pakistan repeatedly delayed Indian hydroelectric and development projects despite dispute resolution mechanisms often supporting India’s position.
“Our experience over the years in the treaty had been that Pakistan’s attitude was obstructive and extremely negative,” he said, adding that it became increasingly difficult for India to derive even the limited benefits it was entitled to under the agreement.
The Indus river system comprises the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. Under the 1960 treaty, India received exclusive rights over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — while Pakistan received rights over the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — with India retaining limited usage rights.
Sinha also alleged that Pakistan misused various bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including cross-Line of Control trade and transport links, to promote terrorism against India.
“Pakistan has been unwilling to cooperate with us and has used every possible avenue to harm Indian interests,” he said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid also backed India’s tougher stance on the treaty, stressing the strategic importance of water resources.
“Water is everything. Future wars will be on water. Water is important for economic and agricultural development,” Vaid told ANI.
Calling the Indus Waters Treaty a “lopsided agreement,” Vaid said Prime Minister Modi’s statement that “blood and water cannot flow together” was justified in light of repeated cross-border terror attacks.
“You cannot continue to shed blood here and ask for water,” he said, adding that Pakistan must stop supporting terrorism if it expects restoration of cooperation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan recently concluded arguments at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, accusing India of violating treaty provisions through hydroelectric projects on the Chenab river, including the Kiru, Kwar, Baglihar and Dul Hasti projects.
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected the jurisdiction of the court, maintaining that with the treaty in abeyance, New Delhi is no longer obligated to comply with its provisions.
Even a year after the suspension of the treaty, all gates of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab river remain closed.
Sinha said India should now focus on maximising utilisation of its own water resources for agriculture, energy generation and regional development.
“I personally believe that we should just scrap the treaty,” he said, arguing that there is no international law compelling India to continue with arrangements that are detrimental to its interests.
He added that the responsibility now lies with Pakistan to change its approach if it seeks future cooperation from India.
Earlier this year, President Droupadi Murmu also highlighted in Parliament that keeping the treaty in abeyance formed part of India’s broader strategy to combat terrorism and protect national security.
As India marks the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, officials say the country’s security doctrine has evolved, establishing a new benchmark in India’s fight against terrorism and reshaping ties with Pakistan.
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