Latest news with #IndusWatersTreatyof1960
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Only 3 of 190 nations which are part of UN opposed Operation Sindoor, says Jaishankar
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday made a detailed speech in the Lok Sabha on the government's diplomatic response following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor . Speaking firmly, Jaishankar speaking in Lok Sabha at the Monsoon Session debate took aim at both past governments and present Opposition critics, asserting India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and listing the foreign policy actions undertaken in the wake of the April 22 attack. Here are the top quotes from Jaishankar's speech Only 3 of 190 UN nations opposed India: "At no stage in any conversation with the US was there any linkage of trade with Operation Sindoor," Jaishankar said, adding that the request to pause action came through the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) communication channel from Pakistan . The foreign minister emphasised the massive global backing India received post-attack, underlining the effectiveness of India's diplomatic outreach. "The result of that diplomacy was that out of the 190 nations of UN only three, besides Pakistan, opposed Operation Sindoor. Overwhelmingly, there was recognition that terror was unacceptable and the country which has been attacked has the right to defend itself and India was doing exactly that." Jaishankar reiterated that India's red lines had been crossed with the Pahalgam incident, necessitating a firm and visible response. "It was important to send a clear, strong and resolute message after the Pahalgam attack as our red lines had been crossed and we had to make it very apparent that there would be serious consequences," he said. 'India sent a strong, clear message after Pahalgam attack': "... It was important to send a clear, strong and resolute message after the Pahalgam attack. Our red lines had been crossed. and we had to make it very apparent that there would be serious consequences as a result. The first step, which was taken, was that a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security took place on 23rd April. That meeting decided that- The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The Integrated Check Post Attari would be closed with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals who are travelling under SARC visa exemption scheme will no longer be allowed to do that. The Defence, Naval and Air advisors of the Pakistani High Commission would be declared Persona non grata The overall strength of the High Commission would be brought down to 30 from the number of 55." "It was very clear that, after the first set of steps approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, India's response to the Pahalgam attack would not stop there. Our task from a diplomatic perspective, from a foreign policy approach, was to shape the global understanding of the Pahalgam attack. What we tried to do was to bring out to the international community Pakistan's long-standing use of cross-border terrorism. We highlighted the history of terrorism in Pakistan and how this particular attack was meant to target the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and to sow communal discord among the people of India." UN Security Council and global outreach: "The focus for our diplomacy was the UN Security Council. The challenge for us was that at this particular point, Pakistan is a member of the Security Council and we are not... Our goals in the Security Council were two: 1- to get an endorsement from the Security Council of the need for accountability, and 2- to bring to justice those who perpetrated this attack. I am glad to say that if you look at the Security Council statement of 25th April, the members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack. They affirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. And most importantly, the Council underlined the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice." On global support and coordination before Operation Sindoor: "From 25th April till the commencement of Operation Sindoor, there were a number of phone calls and conversations. At my level, there were 27 calls; at PM Modi's level, almost 20 calls. About 35-40 letters of support came in, and what we tried to do was to create a narrative, prepare the diplomacy for the launch of Operation Sindoor... There are 193 nations in the United Nations, only 3 countries apart from Pakistan opposed Operation Sindoor. .." All-party parliamentary delegations defended India's stance globally: "...We had seven parliamentary delegations which went to 33 countries. Some comments were made about those delegations. I have to tell Arvind Savant ji that you are completely misinformed. Those delegations were received with great honour. Please look at the tweets of people sitting next to you. These seven delegations did the nation proud. Every member, members of opposition, members of the government, public spirited citizens, retired diplomats, they were able to explain to the whole world our posture of zero tolerance against terrorism. .." On China visit and stapled visa controversy: "Yes, I went to China to make our opposition very clear about de-escalation, trade restrictions and terrorism. I did not go to China for the Olympics. I did not go to China for secret agreements. The House should know that people were watching the Olympics when China was issuing stapled visas for people from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir..." Criticism of UPA's inaction post 26/11: "We were asked, why did you stop at this time? Why did you not go further? This question is being asked by people who, after 26/11, felt that the best action was inaction...26/11 happened in November 2008. What was the reaction? The reaction was Sharm-el-Sheikh. In Sharm-el-Sheikh, the then government and the Pakistani Prime Minister agreed that terrorism is a main threat to both countries. Now, today, people are saying America is hyphenating you, Russia is hyphenating you, that is what I heard Deepender Hooda ji say. You are hyphenating yourself. You did not need a foreign country to say please link India to worst of all, they accepted a reference to Balochistan in that..." India's stronger regional ties: "...We have just come back from Maldives. The day before yesterday, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at their Independence Day. It is the same country that, during their (Congress) time, forced an Indian company to leave an airport, that country today has invited India to build two new airports..." Amit Shah's rebuke to Opposition: Union home minister Amit Shah also intervened during Jaishankar's speech, slamming the Opposition for repeated disruptions. "...I have an objection that they (Opposition) don't have faith in an Indian Foreign Minister but they have faith in some other country. I can understand the importance of foreign in their party. But this doesn't mean that all the things of their party should be imposed here in the House. This is the reason why they are sitting there (opposition benches), and will remain sitting there for the next 20 years..."
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Did You Even Think Of...: Dr S Jaishankars Bahawalpur, Muridke Poser To Opposition On Operation Sindoor
Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar on Monday lashed out at opposition members for questioning the success of Operation Sindoor, especially when the Pahalgam attackers were not tracked down and eliminated. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Operation Sindoor debate, Dr Jaishankar said that India clearly told partner countries that it's exercising its right to defend against terrorist attacks. He also questioned the opposition members whether they can imagine attacking Bahawalpur and Muridke terror bases inside Pakistan during their tenure. "Which one of you imagined that Bahawalpur and Muridke would be brought down the way it was..." said Dr S Jaishankar. The EAM also said that the satellite pictures of the Pakistani air bases are available on the internet for everyone to see. Dr Jaishankar said that it was important to send a clear, strong and resolute message after the Pahalgam attack. "Our red lines had been crossed. and we had to make it very apparent that there would be serious consequences as a result," said Jaishankar. He highlighted steps taken by India post the Pahalgam attack like putting the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The other measures included - the Integrated Check Post Attari was closed with immediate effect; Pakistani nationals who are travelling under SARC visa exemption scheme will no longer be allowed to do that; the Defence, Naval and Air advisors of the Pakistani High Commission would be declared Persona non grata and the overall strength of the High Commission would be brought down to 30 from the number of 55. "It was very clear that, after the first set of steps approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, India's response to the Pahalgam attack would not stop there. Our task from a diplomatic perspective, from a foreign policy approach, was to shape the global understanding of the Pahalgam attack. What we tried to do was to bring out to the international community Pakistan's long-standing use of cross-border terrorism. We highlighted the history of terrorism in Pakistan and how this particular attack was meant to target the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and to sow communal discord among the people of India," he said. The Union Minister further said that the focus for India's diplomacy was the UN Security Council. "The challenge for us was that at this particular point, Pakistan is a member of the Security Council and we are not.....I am glad to say that if you look at the Security Council statement of 25th April, the members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack. They affirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. And most importantly, the Council underlined the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
JD Vance informed PM Modi of a massive Pakistan attack on May 9, which was foiled by our forces: EAM Dr Jaishankar
While addressing the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar informed the House that the US Vice President had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a massive attack by neighbouring Pakistan on May 9. "...It was important to send a clear, strong and resolute message after the Pahalgam terror attack. Our red lines were crossed, and we had to make it very apparent that there would be serious consequences. As a result, the Cabinet Committee on Security met and put the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably gives up its support of cross-border terrorism," said the External Affairs Minister. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Others PGDM Degree Data Science Data Analytics Public Policy Data Science Project Management others Management MBA healthcare Leadership Design Thinking Cybersecurity Product Management Artificial Intelligence Finance CXO Technology Digital Marketing MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 28 Weeks MICA CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 months IIM Lucknow SEPO - IIML CHRO India Starts on undefined Get Details "Our task, from a diplomatic perspective, from a foreign policy approach was to shape global understanding of the Pahalgam attack. What we tried to do was to bring to international community Pakistan's long standing use of cross border terrorism," said Jaishankar while addressing the Lower House of the Parliament.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India slams Pakistan's 'charade' on Kishenganga, Ratle dams; trashes 'illegal' Court of Arbitration's new ruling
India has dismissed a ruling by a Court of Arbitration regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. The projects are located in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the court's formation violates the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. India does not recognize the court's legitimacy. It considers any decisions made by it as void. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India on Friday rejected a fresh ruling by a Court of Arbitration over two hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir . The Pakistan-backed court issued a 'supplemental award' claiming it has the right to decide on the Kishenganga and Ratle dams under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960."India categorically rejects this so-called supplemental award as it has rejected all prior pronouncements of this body," ministry said in an official statement on the Ministry of External Affairs said this so-called court is "illegal" because it was set up in clear violation of the treaty. India has never accepted its existence or any of its past decisions, calling them unlawful and automatically invalid."Today, the illegal Court of Arbitration, purportedly constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, albeit in brazen violation of it, has issued what it characterizes as a "supplemental award' on its competence concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the ministry statement echoed."India has never recognised the existence in law of this so-called Court of Arbitration, and India's position has all along been that the constitution of this so-called arbitral body is in itself a serious breach of the Indus Waters Treaty and consequently any proceedings before this forum and any award or decision taken by it are also for that reason illegal and per se void," it PM Narendra Modi-led Centre also reiterated that until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism, India will not follow the treaty's rules."Until such time that the Treaty is in abeyance, India is no longer bound to perform any of its obligations under the Treaty. No Court of Arbitration, much less this illegally constituted arbitral body which has no existence in the eye of law, has the jurisdiction to examine the legality of India's actions in exercise of its rights as a sovereign," the statement further Central government called the ruling a 'charade' pushed by Pakistan to avoid facing the truth about its role in terrorism. India said Pakistan has a long history of using false claims and manipulating international forums to cover up its actions."This latest charade at Pakistan's behest is yet another desperate attempt by it to escape accountability for its role as the global epicenter of terrorism. Pakistan's resort to this fabricated arbitration mechanism is consistent with its decades-long pattern of deception and manipulation of international forums."
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
No plans for talks with Pakistan on suspended Indus treaty: India
India has no plans to hold talks with Pakistani authorities on the Indus Waters Treaty, which will remain suspended, two people familiar with the matter said on Thursday in the wake of a letter from the Pakistani side seeking a review of the matter. And India will continue to take independent actions on the Indus rivers on its side based on professional assessments of the country's needs by its engineers and is unlikely to respond to Pakistan's offer for talks on the now-suspended water-sharing treaty, a third person said. Holding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance was among a raft of punitive measures announced by the Cabinet Committee on Security a day after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. Even after India and Pakistan reached an understanding on stopping military actions on May 10 following four days of strikes and counterstrikes, Indian officials made it clear the punitive measures would remain in force. Also Read | Pakistan asks India to reconsider decision to suspend Indus Waters Treaty After Debashree Mukherjee, secretary in the Jal Shakti ministry, conveyed the decision on the Indus Waters Treaty to Pakistan's secretary for water resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, in an official letter despatched on April 24, the Pakistani side sent a response that laid out its position. Murtaza is understood to have said in the response that Pakistan considers India's decision to hold the treaty in abeyance as unilateral and a violation of the provisions of the pact, which doesn't allow for the exit of a party. The response is believed to have come in before the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7. The Indian side has no plans to engage with Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty despite the receipt of the response from the Pakistani side and this status will continue till Pakistan stops backing cross-border terrorism, the two people cited above said on condition of anonymity. Also Read | India's water will be used for India: Modi 'India's position was clearly outlined by the foreign secretary at the media briefing on April 23 when he said the Indus Waters Treaty will be held in abeyance 'until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism',' one of the two people cited in the first instance said. Since suspending the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, India has held back all gauge and discharge data of the rivers from Pakistan's Indus commissionerate , which it historically shared under the pact, according to the third person 'These inputs are used by the neighbouring country to verify if India has adhered to the treaty but the treaty is now under suspension, which we have already intimated to Pakistan,' the third person said, confirming India is in receipt of a communication sent by Pakistan more than a week ago, in which it offered to start negotiations to revive the treaty. In its letter, Pakistan urged India to nominate representatives to participate in proposed negotiations on the treaty, the official said, adding that India is unlikely to respond to it as an official communication on India's reasons for suspending the treaty had already been sent last month. This position was also reiterated by external affairs minister S Jaishankar during a brief interaction with TV channels on the margins of an event to mark the opening of the embassy of Honduras in New Delhi on Thursday. Jaishankar said the treaty will continue to in abeyance 'until cross-border terrorism by Pakistan is credibly and irrevocably stopped', and that India is willing to hold talks with Pakistan only on the issue of terrorism. The people further noted that the Pakistani side had virtually rendered the treaty dysfunctional by routinely objecting to India's plans to build dams and hydropower plants and by not dealing with disputes in keeping with the methods laid down in the pact. 'Several provisions of the treaty signed in 1960 are obsolete because of developments and advances in the design and engineering of dams and hydropower projects but the Pakistani side has adopted a negative and obstructionist attitude by objecting to or questioning technical aspects of Indian projects with the intention of delaying them,' the second person said. The Indian side has sent formal notices to Pakistan on four occasions since January 2023 seeking the review and modification of the treaty through government-to-government negotiations as outlined in Article XII (3) of the pact, but the Pakistani side has sought to stall this by contending that the negotiations should be handled by the Indus Waters Commissioners of the two countries, the people said. In August 2024, India had served a formal notice on Pakistan for the review and modification of the treaty, largely because of Islamabad's intransigent approach towards handling disputes related to cross-border rivers. This notice was served under Article XII (3) of the treaty, which states that provisions of the pact may be modified by a duly ratified treaty concluded between the two governments. The people also said the role of the World Bank, which had brokered the treaty in 1960, is limited to appointing either a neutral expert or a court of arbitration for deciding on disputes related to cross-border rivers, and it cannot decide on larger issues such as keeping the pact in abeyance or proposed negotiations to amend the pact. The Indus Waters Treaty has not been amended since it was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960, by then Pakistan president Mohammad Ayub Khan, then Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and WAB Illif of the World Bank. At the time of independence in 1947, the India-Pakistan boundary was drawn across the Indus Basin, leaving Pakistan as the lower riparian state. The Indus Waters Treaty allocated the western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, Chenab – to Pakistan, and the eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – to India. It allowed each country certain uses on the rivers allocated to the other. On May 5, India released water to the Indus basin 'outside the scope of treaty' to maintain safety of Indian dams, a second official said. Waters from the Baglihar and Salal dams on the Chenab river in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir were released as per professional assessments, a fourth official said Under the treaty's rules, India is allowed to carry out flushing operations only in the month of August but the two dams were flushed early this month based on safety requirements, according to this person. India will not share surplus/deficit flow data on the Indus rivers from July 1 to October 10 — mandatory under the pact — as there are no plans to resume communications between the Indus commissioners, the fourth official said. Since the treaty was kept in abeyance, India has not been transferring district and tehsil (sub-district)-level irrigated-crop area statistics for the western rivers for the ensuing kharif (monsoon crop) season, which India was required to do under the treaty. If India releases water during what are expected to be heavy monsoon months this summer, Pakistan could witness large-scale flooding, experts say. 'The flushing of Baglihar and Salal dam gates didn't have a very big impact downstream in Pakistan just yet, but there could be serious consequences in the coming months. India is well within its rights to suspend the treaty because of the disadvantages it was creating for India,' said Shashi Shekhar, former Union water resources secretary. On April 23, Union Jal Shakti minister CR Paatil had said India won't give a drop of water' to Pakistan, while PM Narendra Modi has said 'water and blood can't flow together'. Baglihar is a 900 MW hydropower project with a reservoir capacity of 475 million cubic metres. Electricity produced from its turbines feeds the grid in Haryana, which purchases the power through two distributors — Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam. Nearly 80% of irrigated land in Pakistan's breadbasket, including Punjab, depends on water from the Indus river system, which is also important for drinking and power. India is set to expedite work on six dams in the Kashmir region. These include Kishenganga, Ratle, Miyar Nallah, Lower Kalnai and Pakal Dul power projects aside from the Tulbul navigation project.
