Following the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF personnel, the Modi government decided to act against Jaish-e-Mohammed responsible for the attack. Days before the Indian Air Force conducted air strikes across the border demolishing the terror camps, Union Minister for Road Transport & Waterways, Nitin Gadkari had announced that India would now use its share of the Indus river network, whose waters were earlier diverted to Pakistan.
Staying true to the promise, the Modi government has finally put a full stop to the water supply that was diverted to Pakistan. Union Minister of State for Water Resources Arjun Meghwal has officially confirmed about the same. Meghwal said, “0.53 million acre-feet water has been stopped from going to Pakistan and has been stored. Whenever Rajasthan or Punjab needs it, that water can be used for drinking and irrigation purposes.”
Interestingly, this move does not violate the controversial Indus Water Treaty of 1960 as the water has been stopped of the three eastern rivers, namely Sutlej, Ravi and Beas that India is entitled to use under the treaty. In fact, India was earlier too generous on this part, diverting these waters to Pakistan as well. This time, it has just stopped this act of over generosity.
This act is a further confirmation of how committed the present Modi government is towards dealing firmly against cross border terrorism. All of India’s efforts in bringing everlasting peace in the region has gone in vain. Pakistan has continued to indulge in proxy wars with India by aiding various terror outfits, including Jaish.
Pakistan is in deep trouble as the country has been isolated internationally, thanks to India’s strong diplomatic efforts. Pakistan has been exposed by India numerous times on the international arena and the country is walking on thin ice as the threat of FATF sanctions looms large over its head. And, with the withdrawal of the water supply on the Indian part, it would be interesting to see as to how long Pakistan continues with its trade of terror.