After PM Modi’s ’Blood and water’ narning, Pak says treaty has to hold

Mangalore Today News Network

Islamabad, Sep 27, 2016: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned "blood and water cannot flow together," Pakistan has declared that India cannot opt out "unilaterally" from a key water-sharing agreement, an option that India has hinted it may consider in retaliation for the massive terror attack at an army base in Uri earlier this month.

 

"According to international law, India can’t unilaterally separate itself from the treaty," Sartaz Aziz, the Adviser on Foreign Affairs to Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif, said today according to Pakistani media.

18 soldiers were killed by Pakistani terrorists at an army base in Uri in Kashmir on September 18. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that the attack would not go unavenged.

India is working to isolate Pakistan globally including through the United Nations. Prime Minister Modi has indicated that while he is unlikely to take strong military action, he will look at other ways to corner Pakistan.

Yesterday, he reviewed the nearly six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty which allocates waters from three rivers - the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab - between the neighbours. At the session, it was decided that India will move to utilize more of the rivers’ resources, while officials said abrogation or a renunciation of the treaty is also an option being considered.

India has so far not fully exploited its 20 percent share of the water, allowing Pakistan considerable benefit. Yesterday, officials said that will change along with accelerated plans to build new hydropower plants along the three rivers, a move which is certain to irk Islamabad. 

The Indus Water Treaty was brokered by the World Bank in 1960 after tough negotiations.

"If India violates the treaty, Pakistan can approach International Court of Justice," said Mr Aziz, according to Pakistani media.