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India Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why Ranbir Canal matters as India plans to choke water flow to Pak? Key details
In a strategic move to choke the flow of water from the Indus Basin to Pakistan, India is considering doubling the length of the Ranbir Canal on River Chenab from 60 km to 120 km. The move will not only increase India's ability to divert water to Jammu for agricultural activities, but also reduce the flow into downstream Pakistan. This will directly hit Pakistan's Punjab province, which contributes 68% to the annual food grain is one of the three rivers whose waters were allocated to Pakistan under the now suspended Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The move will likely have profound implications for Pakistan's agricultural IS RANBIR CANAL?The Ranbir Canal, located in Jammu, is the lifeline for the city's agricultural production. Constructed in the early 20th century, it stretches nearly 60 km from its origin - upstream of the Akhnoor Bridge on the left bank of the Chenab, about 25 kilometres northeast of Jammu canal was designed initially on net irrigated land of 16.460 hectares. The length of the main Ranbir Canal is 60 km and that of its distribution system is around 400 per the Indus Water Treaty, 1960, the Ranbir Canal is allowed to carry 1,000 cusecs for irrigation purposes, 250 cusecs for hydropower use besides water withdrawal for silt extraction from April 15 to October AND STRUCTUREadvertisementOrigin: The canal takes off from River Chenab near Akhnoor, Originally about 60 kilometers, with current proposals to extend it up to 120 It traverses the Jammu region, providing water to agricultural lands and supporting local ON THE INDUS WATERS TREATYThe Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960, is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World allocates the waters of the eastern rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum) to Pakistan, while permitting India's limited use of the western rivers for irrigation and non-consumptive has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan for the first time ever in response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly decision to halt the treaty was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the government's highest decision-making body on national RANBIR CANAL MATTERS?The Ranbir Canal predates the IWT, having been built in the 19th century, and has long served as a key irrigation channel for the Jammu use of water from the Chenab (a western river) for irrigation via the Ranbir Canal has been regulated, with limits on how much water can be diverted to ensure downstream flows to the April 22 terror attack, India suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty. In the aftermath, India began considering measures to increase its control over the Indus system, including major expansions of existing infrastructure like the Ranbir EXPANSIONThe government is weighing plans to double the Ranbir Canal's length from 60 km to 120 km, increasing its reach and expansion would boost the canal's diversion capacity from 40 cubic meters per second to 150 cubic meters per second, potentially diverting significantly more water for Indian use before it reaches Pakistan's Punjab move is seen as a way for India to exert pressure on Pakistan, as about 80 per cent of Pakistan's agriculture relies on the Indus system. Any reduction in water flow could have serious consequences for Pakistani agriculture and IMPLICATIONSThe expansion of the Ranbir Canal is part of a broader Indian strategy to leverage its upstream position for geopolitical influence, especially after the suspension of the such infrastructure changes would take years to fully implement, the holding of water in certain dams has already affected water levels at key points in CANAL FACTSFeatureDetailsLocationJammu, IndiaSourceChenab River (upstream of Akhnoor Bridge)Original Length60 kmProposed Length120 km (under expansion plans)Construction Completed1905PurposeIrrigation, water supplyTreaty ContextRegulated under Indus Waters Treaty; now under reviewStrategic SignificancePotential tool for water leverage post-treaty suspension
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan test-fires missile amid escalating tensions with India
This is a representational image ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military conducted a successful test-launch of a Fatah series surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 km as part of its ongoing 'Exercise INDUS', Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan army's media arm, announced on Monday. This follows Saturday's test of the Abdali weapon system , a ballistic missile with a range of 450 km, signalling heightened military posturing amid fears of an Indian incursion. The tests, celebrated by President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Gen Syed Asim Munir, underscore Pakistan's resolve to bolster its defence capabilities in a volatile regional climate. According to ISPR, the goal of Monday's Fatah launch was to verify 'key technical parameters', such as improved precision and advanced navigation, and to guarantee 'operational readiness of troops'. Similar emphasis was placed on technical proficiency during Saturday's Abdali test, where military authorities praised the missile's improved navigation and manoeuvrability capabilities. Senior Army Strategic Forces Command leaders, scientists, and engineers watched both launches, which were presented as actions to preserve 'credible minimum deterrence' against external aggression. The exercise's symbolic name, 'INDUS', alludes to the Indus river system, a lifeline Pakistan fears India may threaten after New Delhi's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty . Tensions have soared since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly civilians. India, alleging Pakistan's 'cross-border linkages' to the incident, has vowed severe retaliation. Pakistan's fears of a possible military attack have been heightened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to give India's armed forces 'complete operational freedom'. The Abdali test on Saturday was described by Indian authorities as a 'dangerous escalation' and a 'reckless act of provocation', with reports suggesting that New Delhi anticipated Pakistan's missile testing. In response, Pakistan has denied India's charges, demanded an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack , and threatened that any attempt to disrupt Indus water flow would be treated as an act of war.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PM Shehbaz Sharif lauds Pakistan's second missile test amid tensions with India: 'Defence in strong hands'
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the country's defence is in "strong hands" after its military conducted a second missile test amid tensions with India. "The successful training launch clearly shows that Pakistan's defence is in strong hands," the prime minister said in a statement, according to AFP news agency. Shehbaz Sharif added that that he was satisfied with the army's "full preparedness for national defence". Pakistan on Monday test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres as part of the ongoing exercise INDUS, the country's military said. 'The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy,' the military said in a statement. Also Read | India cuts off water flow to Pakistan from dam on river Chenab This is the second such test since Saturday, when the Pakistani armed forces tested the Abdali ballistic missile defence system, which has a range of 450km. Indian authorities said that Islamabad's plan to test a ballistic missile was a 'reckless act of provocation'. Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 persons, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The assault is one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. India has vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the attack. India has announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties. Also Read | 'My duty to act, what you desire will happen': Defence minister's assurance on Pahalgam attack retaliation The Indian government also cancelled all types of visas granted to Pakistani nationals and ordered them to leave by April 30. India also closed its airspace for flights operated by Pakistan Airlines. In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan and barred Indian airlines from using its airspace. Pakistani forces have also been violating ceasefire along the border continuously since the last 10 days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held several high-profile meetings with top government officials and military leaders since April 22. Last month, Modi said at a key security meeting that the armed forces have full operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India's response to the attack.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan test-fires 2nd missile as tensions with India mount over Pahalgam attack
Pakistan on Monday test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres as part of the ongoing exercise INDUS, the military said. 'The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy,' the military said in a statement, adding that the surface-to-surface missile had a range of 120 kilometres (75 miles). The latest test firing comes after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and the Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, met the Prime Minister and briefed him about the armed forces' operational preparedness. This is the second such test since Saturday, when the Pakistani armed forces tested the Abdali ballistic missile defence system, which has a range of 450km. India has not commented on Pakistan's missile tests, but officials had termed before the launch that it would be considered an 'act of reckless provocation.' The Pakistan government and military briefed all political parties on Sunday on the current state of bilateral relations with India, the Dawn reported. Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party also attended the briefing virtually. According to the report, all political parties vowed a robust response if India resorted to any 'misadventure.' Anticipating a military response from India after PM Modi granted the armed forces 'complete freedom' to retaliate, Pakistan has been mobilising its armed forces and carrying out intense drills and live firings in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy has also been holding naval drills on the West Coast. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, visited Pakistan on Monday to try and de-escalate the country's tensions with India after the terror attack in Pahalgam. Araghchi will meet his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, as well as President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan's foreign ministry did not give further details. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters that 'Pakistan is presenting its case to friendly countries.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Pakistani counterpart on Sunday that Moscow is willing to act to 'a political settlement' of escalating tensions between Pakistan and India if the two countries mutually desire it. 'It was stressed that Russia is ready to act for a political settlement of the situation resulting from the act of terrorism of April 22 in the Pahalgam area of the Kashmir valley, in the event of a mutual desire on the part of Islamabad and New Delhi,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram. (With inputs from Rezaul Laskar)
India Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
India hits pause on Indus Waters Treaty: Could this dry up Pakistan's economy?
For Pakistan, the Indus Waters Treaty was a lifeline, flowing steadily even through wars, nuclear threats, and diplomatic breakdowns. But now, India has turned off the has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a water-sharing agreement signed with Pakistan in 1960. The announcement was made by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday, a day after a deadly attack in Pahalgam killed several civilians. The government said the move will stay in place until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border decision to suspend the treaty was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India's top body on national security matters, after early investigations showed links between the attackers and groups based across the marks the first time that India has officially put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, despite years of political tensions and conflict between the two IS THE INDUS WATERS TREATY?The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after years of talks between India and Pakistan, where the World Bank acted as the treaty divides the six rivers of the Indus Basin between the two countries:advertisementEastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej were given to Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab were given to is allowed to use the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes like irrigation and hydropower but is not allowed to store or divert large amounts of water from the agreement, India gets about 20% of the total water in the system—roughly 33 million acre-feet (MAF), or 41 billion cubic metres (bcm), while Pakistan receives about 80%, which is around 135 MAF or 99 THIS MATTERS TO PAKISTANPakistan is already facing a water crisis. The country has very low water storage, with the two main dams, Mangla and Tarbela, able to store only about 14.4 MAF. This is just 10% of Pakistan's annual water share under the Indus system plays a key role in Pakistan's economy:advertisement About 80% of Pakistan's farmland, or 16 million hectares, is watered by the Indus system93% of the water from these rivers is used for farming, including wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cottonThe system supports over 237 million people, of which 61% live within the Indus BasinIt contributes nearly 25% to Pakistan's GDP, mainly through agriculturePakistan is already one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. The average amount of water available per person has been going down fast. Any sudden or large cut in water flow will make the situation warn that the fallout from the suspension could be serious:Food production may drop sharply, affecting prices and availabilityPower cuts may increase, especially in rural areasCities may face drinking water shortages, adding pressure on urban systemsUnemployment may rise, especially among farmers and daily wage workersRural migration to cities may increase, leading to overcrowding and more pressure on resourcesIndia uses its share of the water, around 33 MAF, mainly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, for farming and power. But it may now decide to build new storage projects or change water flow patterns, which could directly reduce the amount of water reaching is still not clear if the suspension will be permanent or temporary. There is also no official statement yet from Pakistan on how it plans to respond. But with water such a critical part of Pakistan's economy and daily life, the effects could start to show Watch
