India has formally informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus water treaty in abeyance in the wake of gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. In its letter to the neighbouring country, India said “security uncertainties” have impeded the full utilisation of India’s rights under the treaty.
India's Secretary of Water Resources Debashree Mukherjee, in her letter to Pakistani counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, said, “The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”
India had announced a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan in the aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons were killed. The deceased include 24 tourists from various parts of the country.
After the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, India announced, “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.”
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In the letter, India said the security uncertainties have affected India’s utilisation of the treaty. “The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilisation of its rights under the treaty.” The Centre also highlighted Pakistan's failure to negotiate modifications as per the treaty. “Apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the treaty and is thus in breach of the treaty,” it said.
Besides suspending the treaty, India announced the closure of Integrated Check Post Attari, the cancellation of SVES visas for Pakistani nationals and bringing down overall strength at high commissions to 30 from 55. India also declared the defence/military, naval and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission, and their five support staff as Persona Non Grata. India also withdrew its defence advisors from the Islamabad High Commission.
