Jaishankar links resumption of Indus treaty to end of cross-border terrorism

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday announced that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan will remain suspended until Islamabad takes “credible and irreversible” steps to end cross-border terrorism.

Speaking to the media, Jaishankar reiterated the government’s hardened stance, stating, “The only discussion on Kashmir is about vacating Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We are open to discussing that with Pakistan.”

The move follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 men. India accused Pakistan-based groups ​o​f the assault and launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the killings. Shortly after the carnage ​i​n Pahalgam, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided to halt water sharing under the IWT as part of a broader diplomatic and strategic response.

Pakistan, heavily reliant on the Indus ​R​iver system for both agriculture and drinking water, sent a letter to India’s Jal Shakti Ministry on Thursday, seeking a review of New Delhi’s decision to suspend the treaty.

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, allocates the eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—to India, while granting Pakistan control over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

Reaffirming India’s position, Jaishankar said New Delhi will not resume water sharing under the treaty until Pakistan dismantles terror infrastructure on its soil. “Our policy on Kashmir remains unchanged,” he added, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remarks that India will only engage with Pakistan on issues related to terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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