Hyderabad (Telangana), May 20: BJP leader Prakash Reddy has strongly criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks on Operation Sindoor and the India-Pakistan ceasefire, accusing him of either misunderstanding diplomatic protocols or deliberately politicising a sensitive national issue.
“External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has repeatedly clarified that no prior information was shared with Pakistan regarding the surgical strikes. This point has been made clear in multiple forums, including a recent all-party meeting,” Reddy said on Tuesday. “Rahul Gandhi seems either unaware of how international security communications function or is purposely trying to score political points.”
Reddy’s remarks follow Gandhi’s demand for greater transparency regarding Indian Air Force losses during Operation Sindoor, carried out in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had called Jaishankar’s silence on operational details “unacceptable,” stating that “the nation deserves the truth.”
Indus Water Treaty Suspended
Reddy also reaffirmed the government’s recent decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan—a landmark move following escalating tensions.
“The suspension is a bold and necessary step. The government plans to fully utilize the waters of the Indus system for Indian agriculture and development. Several dams have already stopped releasing water to Pakistan,” Reddy said.
He noted that India’s Agriculture and Water Resources Ministries are now working to ensure the redirection of water toward supporting Indian farmers, especially in drought-prone and agrarian regions. A high-level meeting with farmers was recently held to discuss these changes.
Broader Implications
Reddy stressed that while the ceasefire agreement is in place, the government is not compromising on India’s core interests. He also issued a stern message to Pakistan, stating, “Terrorism and religious fundamentalism are unacceptable. The real issues of today are food, education, and infrastructure — not extremism.”
About the Indus Waters Treaty
Signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty allocated exclusive use of the Eastern Rivers — Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas — to India, while granting Pakistan control over the Western Rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, with some non-consumptive and agricultural allowances for India.
India has long utilized the waters of its share through major projects such as the Bhakra Dam (Satluj), Pong and Pandoh Dams (Beas), and the Ranjitsagar (Thein) Dam (Ravi), along with inter-basin links like the Beas-Sutlej Link and Indira Gandhi Canal.
The suspension of the treaty marks a major escalation in India-Pakistan relations, potentially triggering international attention due to the strategic and transnational nature of the Indus basin, which also stretches into China and Afghanistan.