Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday strongly criticized the Indus Water Treaty, calling it the “most unfair document” for the people of the Union Territory. The treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, has long been a point of contention, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where leaders have argued it disadvantages the region.
“The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J-K,” said Omar Abdullah, addressing the media.
In light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, Abdullah also discussed the safety of J&K residents living in other parts of the country. He said he had received assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah that proactive steps would be taken to ensure their protection.
“It is regrettable that this attack took place and we ensured that whatever issues that were kept in front of us in the meeting, we will work on them. During this meeting, I spoke with the Union Home Minister and he assured me that all steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of J-K who are staying in other states…An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states,” he added.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to chair a high-level meeting on the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in New Delhi later on Friday. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and other senior government officials will also attend.
According to official sources, India has formally notified Pakistan of its decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty. The communication was sent by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources.
The letter from India reportedly outlines the government’s intent to amend the terms of the treaty. This decision was finalized during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The move comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen were killed, and several others injured. The attack, which targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow in Kashmir, has sparked nationwide outrage and led to a series of diplomatic and security escalations.