Latest news with #Treaties
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Freeze On Indus Waters Treaty Not Illegal: Top Official Rubbishes Pak Claim
NEW DELHI: India has rejected Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's allegation that India's decision to put Indus Water Treaty in abeyance is "illegal". Talking exclusively to NDTV, Jalshakti Ministry's Adviser on Indus Water Treaty and former Commissioner (Indus) Kushvinder Vohra said India's decision to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance is "legally valid as per the prevailing International Laws". "The Vienna Convention on International Treaties is not strictly applicable on the Indus Water Treaty as it became effective only in 1980 and the Treaties made before 1980 does not come under its ambit. IWT was signed in 1960," he said. Nevertheless, even as per convention, when fundamental circumstances change, Indus Water Treaty can be suspended or abrogated as may be the situation, Mr Vohra explained. "India has used its rights to put the treaty in abeyance since Pakistan has consistently acted against the spirit of goodwill and friendship which was the cornerstone of Indus Water Treaty," he said. Under these circumstances, even if Pakistan goes to international forums to challenge India's decision, its case will not stand because there are fundamental changes in circumstances, especially in terms of Islamabad acting against the spirit of goodwill and friendship, technological changes, climate change effects among others, he added. At the International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation, On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said at an international conference that his country would not allow India to cross the red line by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and endangering millions of lives for narrow political gains. India had hit back, condemning Pakistan's action. At a UN conference on glaciers in Tajikistan's Dushanbe, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said Pakistan was violating the treaty through terrorism. "Pakistan, which itself is in violation of the treaty, should desist from putting the blame of the breach of the treaty on India," he said. The treaty's preamble says it was concluded in the spirit of goodwill and friendship, and honouring the treaty in good faith is essential, he had added. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with the World Bank as a signatory, governs the sharing of the Indus River system's waters between the two countries. India put a freeze on it after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 people died.
Toronto Star
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Here's what King Charles — and Canadians — need to remember about this country's history
As King Charles embarks on his official visit to Canada, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of irony. The pomp and ceremony that will greet him stands in stark contrast to the reality faced by Indigenous Peoples across this land. While red carpets are rolled out and dignitaries bow, our communities continue to struggle with boil water advisories, inadequate housing, a missing and murdered women and girls genocide, and systemic poverty. The Crown — which King Charles now represents — is bound to us t hrough sacred Treaties. These were not mere historical documents to be displayed in museums or acknowledged in performative land acknowledgments. They were nation-to-nation agreements that made the very existence of Canada possible. Without these Treaties, there would be no Canada as we know it today. Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
CBC
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
AFN chief says talks of Alberta separation 'irresponsible,' points to treaties
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says talk of Alberta separatism is 'irresponsible' and it's "not smart" for politicians to make statements about it without consulting with First Nations first. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced a bill that would make it easier for Albertans to launch referendums on various topics — including splitting from Canada. Smith has pointed to growing alienation in her province and frustration with Ottawa, saying those wanting to separate "are not fringe voices." National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says any effort by Alberta to split the country would be "unconstitutional" and a "direct affront to the sacred treaties that predate the province itself." First Nations have never ceded their inherent rights to the land and resources, and separatism would disregard treaties and undermine the foundation of Canada, Nepinak said. "Any proposed separation of Alberta from Canada would be fundamentally illegitimate and unconstitutional without the explicit, prior, informed and collective consent of the First Nations whose lands and rights predate the formation of the province and of Canada," Nepinak said in a statement. The national chief is also calling for a federal review of natural resources transfer agreements in response to the referendum talk, saying First Nations were never consulted on those agreements with the provinces.
CTV News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
AFN chief says talks of Alberta separation ‘irresponsible,' points to treaties
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse takes part in a panel during the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says talk of Alberta separatism is 'irresponsible' and it's 'not smart' for politicians to make statements about it without consulting with First Nations first. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced a bill that would make it easier for Albertans to launch referendums on various topics — including splitting from Canada. Smith has pointed to growing alienation in her province and frustration with Ottawa, saying those wanting to separate 'are not fringe voices.' National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says any effort by Alberta to split the country would be 'unconstitutional' and a 'direct affront to the sacred treaties that predate the province itself.' She says First Nations have never ceded their inherent rights to the land and resources, and separatism would disregard treaties and undermine the foundation of Canada. The national chief is also calling for a federal review of natural resources transfer agreements in response to the referendum talk, saying First Nations were never consulted on those agreements with the provinces. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025. The Canadian Press
CTV News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
AFN chief says talks of Alberta separation ‘irresponsible,' points to treaties
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse takes part in a panel during the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says talk of Alberta separatism is 'irresponsible' and it's 'not smart' for politicians to make statements about it without consulting with First Nations first. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced a bill that would make it easier for Albertans to launch referendums on various topics — including splitting from Canada. Smith has pointed to growing alienation in her province and frustration with Ottawa, saying those wanting to separate 'are not fringe voices.' National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says any effort by Alberta to split the country would be 'unconstitutional' and a 'direct affront to the sacred treaties that predate the province itself.' She says First Nations have never ceded their inherent rights to the land and resources, and separatism would disregard treaties and undermine the foundation of Canada. The national chief is also calling for a federal review of natural resources transfer agreements in response to the referendum talk, saying First Nations were never consulted on those agreements with the provinces. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025. The Canadian Press
