Pakistan asks for water, India says it has different plans

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has written to India requesting it to restore the Indus Water Treaty, but India has replied that it will not happen. India's position is that it can consider restoring the Indus Water Treaty after Pakistan ends the arrangement that promotes terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has replied to Pakistan that water and blood will not flow together.

Now, reports are coming out quoting the central government that India has other projects in the river water that is being withheld from Pakistan. The central government has started taking steps to start more power projects on the rivers. Three projects are being considered on the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers. India has plans to speed up the construction of two projects that are in progress and increase the storage capacity of existing dams.

The Ministry of Water Resources is expected to submit the draft of the new projects to the Union Cabinet soon. The projects planned on the Chenab River are Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project Stage 2 (1856 MW), Kirthai II (930 MW), and Dulhasti II (260 MW). The Bursar and Uri projects, which were not fully commissioned earlier due to Pakistan's interference, are also under consideration.

For Pakistan, its important agricultural, energy and commercial projects depend on the water of the Indus River. Therefore, Pakistan's goal is to obtain water from India at any cost. Pakistan's Water Resources Ministry Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza has approached the Union Ministry of Water Resources, expressing his readiness to reconsider the decision and hold talks. Pakistan had earlier responded that India's action of cancelling the agreement was a declaration of war.