New delhi: India's government has announced its commitment to preventing "not a single drop" of water from flowing into Pakistan, implementing a series of short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
According to Thai News Agency, Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil emphasized the urgency of these measures, which align with India's suspension of its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) last May. This decision followed an attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir by militants, whom India accuses Pakistan of supporting. The situation escalated into a brief military confrontation, resulting in nearly 70 casualties on both sides, leading to India's current strategic focus on water management.
India has initiated extensive projects along the Chenab River to redirect water flow. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation has issued tenders for an 8.7-kilometer tunnel intended to divert water from the Chenab River to the Beas Basin. Additionally, the Indian Ministry of Energy has started sediment removal at the Salal hydroelectric power station to enhance its water storage capacity.
Pakistani authorities have strongly condemned India's actions, arguing that using water as a weapon violates international law and could be perceived as a declaration of war. The Indus River is vital for the livelihoods of populations and agriculture in Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces.
Hydrological experts note that India's current infrastructure does not yet have the capacity to immediately block or divert all major water channels, allowing only for controlled timing of water releases. The tunnel diversion project is projected to begin by mid-2027 and may take at least five years to produce tangible effects. This timeline provides an opportunity for diplomatic negotiations to resolve the dispute.