Latest news with #IndusTreaty


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Top 5 news of the day: PM Modi slams Indus Treaty; US warns Indian, international students; IMD predicts ‘above normal' monsoon; and more
Top 5 news of the day PM Modi delivered a strong message on the Indus Water Treaty and cross-border terrorism, vowing to protect India's rightful water share and responding firmly to ongoing terror threats. Meanwhile, the US government issued a stern warning to Indian and international students, cautioning that visas could be revoked for skipping classes or dropping out without informing their schools. This follows a recent crackdown that saw thousands of students lose their study permits. In politics, Tej Pratap Yadav congratulated his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav on the birth of his second child, despite being expelled from RJD party. On the weather front, the India Meteorological Department forecasted an 'above normal' monsoon with 106% rainfall this season, raising hopes for farmers and rural livelihoods. In sports, injured Rishabh Pant touched hearts by signing a ball for a young fan as Royal Challengers Bengaluru aim for a top-two IPL finish against Lucknow Super Giants. PM Modi slams Indus Treaty, says even limited action has Pakistan 'sweating' PM Modi questioned why citizens had to suffer reduced water access and vowed to ensure their rightful share. PM Modi also addressed terrorism, stating India must no longer tolerate cross-border attacks and should respond firmly. 'Shouldn't a bullet be answered with a shell?' he asked, criticising years of inaction and declaring that it's time to remove the 'thorn' of terrorism permanently. Read full story US warns Indian, international students: Visa can be revoked for skipping classes or dropping out The US embassy in India said such actions could also affect future visa eligibility. This follows reports that over 4,700 international students lost their study permits this spring, often without prior notice, amid President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. The US monitors foreign students via SEVIS, an online tracking system. In 2023, India received over 1.4 lakh student visas, more than any other country, marking a third consecutive record. Read full story Tej Pratap Yadav congratulated younger brother Tejashwi Yadav on becoming a father for second time This came days after Tej Pratap was expelled from the party and family by RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for 'irresponsible behaviour' following Tej Pratap's revelation about his relationship with Anushka Yadav. Despite backing Lalu's decision, Tejashwi said his brother is an adult free to make personal choices. Tejashwi and his wife Rajshree announced the birth of their son, their second child after daughter Katyayani, born in March 2023. The couple married in December 2021. Read full story IMD predicts 'above normal' monsoon with 106% rainfall this season The updated forecast predicts 106% of the long-period average (LPA) rainfall from June to September, slightly higher than the previous estimate of 105%. Central and peninsular India are likely to get above normal rainfall, northwest India normal rainfall, while northeast India may receive below normal rain. The monsoon core zone, crucial for farming, is also expected to see above normal rainfall, offering a positive outlook for crop sowing and rural livelihoods. Monsoon rains provide nearly 70% of India's annual rainfall. Read full story Injured Rishabh Pant signs ball for young fan despite limping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play cautiously in their final league match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as they aim to secure a top-two finish in IPL 2025. RCB can enter the top two for the first time since 2016 if they win, benefiting from recent Gujarat Titans losses. A top-two spot gives a direct path to Qualifier 1, with a chance to reach the final early. Read full story


New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Modi says Pakistan will not get water from Indian-controlled rivers
ISLAMABAD, NEW DELHI: Pakistan will not receive water from rivers over which India has rights, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, escalating rhetoric in a standoff over water access triggered by a deadly attack in Indian Kashmir. Pakistan's chief legal officer, in an interview with Reuters, responded that Islamabad remained willing to discuss water sharing between the neighbours but said India must adhere to a decades-old treaty. India stated last month that it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty as part of a series of measures following the April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad — a charge Pakistan denies. Any move to block Pakistan's access to the water would have a devastating impact. The Indus Treaty, negotiated by the World Bank in 1960, guarantees water for 80 per cent of Pakistan's farms from three rivers that flow from India. The nuclear-armed neighbours have already clashed in their worst military confrontation in nearly three decades before agreeing to a ceasefire on May 10. "Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack ... Pakistan's army will pay it. Pakistan's economy will pay it," Modi said at a public event in the north-western state of Rajasthan, which borders Pakistan. "Pakistan is willing to talk about or to address anything, any concerns they may have," Pakistan's Attorney General, Mansoor Usman Awan, told Reuters. He said India had written to Pakistan in recent weeks, citing population growth and clean energy needs as reasons to modify the treaty. However, he stated that any discussions would have to take place under the terms of the treaty. Islamabad maintains the treaty is legally binding and that no party can unilaterally suspend it, Awan said. "As far as Pakistan is concerned, the treaty is very much operational, functional, and anything which India does, it does at its own cost and peril as far as the building of any hydroelectric power projects are concerned," he added. The ceasefire between the countries has largely held. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said there were no current exchanges of fire and "there has been some repositioning of forces accordingly." "The (military) operation continues because there is a clear message ... that if there are acts of the kind we saw on April 22, there will be a response. We will hit the terrorists," Jaishankar told Dutch news outlet NOS. "If the terrorists are in Pakistan, we will hit them where they are," he added. India and Pakistan have shared a troubled relationship since they were carved out of British India in 1947 and have fought three wars, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of backing Islamist separatists in Kashmir, a claim Islamabad denies. Five people, including three children, were killed in a suicide bomb blast on an army school bus in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Wednesday. Pakistan's prime minister and military accused "Indian terror proxies" of involvement, which India rejected. Both nations have retaliated since the April attack by halting trade, closing borders, and suspending most visas.


Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
After India, now Afghanistan plans to build dams to cut water flow to Pakistan, claims Baloch activist
Afghanistan is reportedly preparing to build new dams to restrict the flow of its river waters into Pakistan, according to a claim made by a Baloch activist on social media. The move follows India's long-standing dam projects on rivers flowing towards Pakistan. A statement posted by Baloch writer Mir Yab Baloch on social media platform X said, 'This is the beginning of the end of NaPakistan. After Bharat, now Afghanistan is preparing building dams to cut the flow of its water to NaPakistan.' The claim, though not officially confirmed by either Afghanistan or Pakistan, has started drawing attention amid growing tensions in the region over water resources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health: This unbreakable military watch is making seniors happy this year Indestructible Smartwatch Undo Taliban general visits Kunar, backs dam plans, claims Mir Yab According to the post, a senior Taliban army official, General Mubin, visited the Kunar region in eastern Afghanistan where he inspected a potential dam site. He reportedly called on the Kabul government to fund and construct multiple dams to retain the water flowing into Pakistan. — miryar_baloch (@miryar_baloch) General Mubin was quoted as saying, 'This water is our blood and we can't allow our blood to flow out of veins, we have to stop our water which can help to overcome our electricity needs and we can make our agriculture more robust.' Live Events You Might Also Like: 'Republic of Balochistan announced' trends on social media as Baloch leaders declare independence from Pakistan Kunar River, a tributary of the Kabul River, flows from Afghanistan into Pakistan and is considered a key water source for downstream agricultural regions. Water disputes in the region Water-sharing has long been a sensitive issue in South Asia. India and Pakistan have a formal water treaty — the Indus Waters Treaty — in place since 1960, but there is no such agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Any move by Afghanistan to regulate water flow unilaterally could raise concerns in Pakistan, especially in light of recent statements from regional political voices and activists. Pakistan has not yet responded officially to the claim. This development comes as both India and Afghanistan appear to be reworking their approaches to water diplomacy with Pakistan. While India has built several dams on western rivers under the Indus Treaty framework, Afghanistan controls the headwaters of several eastern tributaries flowing into Pakistan. You Might Also Like: 'Not Pakistan's people': Why Balochistan is turning to India amid a firestorm No official word from Kabul or Islamabad So far, there has been no confirmation from the Taliban government or the Pakistani authorities regarding the reported dam inspection or any new construction plans. The claim, however, adds to the ongoing debate about transboundary water rights and the emerging role of regional geopolitics in controlling natural resources. India's shift on Indus Waters Treaty India has taken a more assertive position on the Indus Waters Treaty in recent years, especially after repeated cross-border tensions and terror attacks linked to Pakistan-based groups. While India has not formally suspended the treaty, India has put the treaty in abeyance. India has started using more of its share of the water that was earlier allowed to flow into Pakistan unutilised. Projects like the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric plants are now central to this strategy. These projects allow India to store and divert water for electricity generation and irrigation before it enters Pakistan. The Indian government has consistently maintained that all its projects are in compliance with the treaty, but the cumulative effect has been a reduction in the volume of water reaching Pakistani territory during certain periods. You Might Also Like: Who is Kashish Chaudhary, the first Hindu woman to rise to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan? This change in water flow pattern has raised concerns in Pakistan, where agriculture remains heavily dependent on the Indus river system. Analysts have pointed out that any further reduction could add stress to Pakistan's water management systems.


News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
India's Legal Maneuvering: Indus Water Treaty and Pakistan's Diplomatic Dilemma
| India suspends Indus Treaty, cites Vienna Convention; Pakistan's ICJ access blocked by 2019 declaration, past threats remain Input: @manojkumargupta n18oc_india

Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tense Rome Meeting: US Vice President Schooled On Trade By EU Chief; Meloni Plays Mediator
UK Sings Pak Tune? From Islamabad, Starmer Foreign Secy's Big Message To India On Indus Treaty Britain is working with the U.S. to ensure a ceasefire between India and Pakistan endures and that "confidence-building measures" and dialogue take place, foreign minister David Lammy said on Saturday. This after India struck Pakistani terrorist infrastructure, and military bases, in response to Pahalgam attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people last month, leading to days of deadly military confrontation between the sides that ended with a truce announced by the U.S. President Donald Trump last week. Asked about India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, potentially squeezing Pakistan's water supply, Lammy said: "We would urge all sides to meet their treaty obligations." Watch. 62.9K views | 16 hours ago