"Minister Jawed Rana Highlights Struggles of Jammu and Kashmir Due to Indus Water Treaty"
Rewritten Article:
Jammu and Kashmir endures struggles due to the Indus Water Treaty, as stated by its Minister, Jawed Rana, on Saturday. The region, frequently grappling with droughts, hasn't experienced the benefits it deserves from the treaty, Rana asserted.
"It's the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have suffered the most due to the Indus Water Treaty. Unfortunately, our area is a drought-prone area. The Indus Water Treaty includes the International Court of Justice, but I'd say that we didn't get the benefits from it that we should have received. We deserve our rights, our mountains, water, and rivers, and our government," Jawed Rana expressed to ANI.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting. In response to the gravity of this terrorist attack, the CCS chose to keep the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 on hold until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism without reservation.
Reacting to Pakistan People's Party president Bilawal Bhutto's statements on the Indus Water Treaty, Jawed Rana considered them a silly remark from the ruling Pakistani leadership, who can hardly maintain their ground. He commented that Bhutto's opinions hold no weight since democracy is non-existent in Pakistan.
"What difference does the absurd statements of the Pakistan leadership make? Their leadership is not even standing on its own feet, where there is no democracy." the minister added.
A tragic incident claimed the lives of 26 tourists in Pahalgam's Baisaran valley last Tuesday. Among the casualties were 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, governs water-sharing between India and Pakistan, assigning the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) as the primary source for Pakistan. Despite recurring disputes, India briefly suspended the treaty in 2025 after a terror attack in Kashmir attributed to Pakistan-backed militants.
Since the Indus Water Treaty grants primary control over western rivers (Jhelum and Chenab) that flow through Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan, the region faces certain limitations in developing its water resources for agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power projects. Furthermore, disagreements over India's hydroelectric projects on tributaries, such as Kishenganga and Ratle, have delayed development of critical water infrastructure crucial for Jammu and Kashmir's economic development and energy security.
Suspending the treaty offers Jammu and Kashmir the opportunity to advance hydro and irrigation projects on western rivers, potentially boosting local agriculture, power generation, and economic growth. However, unilateral manipulation of water flows could potentially escalate regional tensions and ecological impacts on a sensitive area that relies on shared river systems. Furthermore, terminating data sharing and inspection as stipulated under the treaty complicates joint monitoring for managing floods, droughts, and sustainable water use in the region.
- The minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Jawed Rana, accused Pakistan of not credibly adhering to the benefits agreed upon in the Indus Water Treaty, a treaty that is frequently discussed in general news and politics.
- Despite the region of Jammu and Kashmir being assigned control over the Jhelum and Chenab rivers under the Indus Water Treaty, the region faces limitations in developing its water resources due to the treaty, as stated by the minister, Jawed Rana.
- In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided to put the Indus Water Treaty on hold until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism without reservation, a decision that was reported extensively in crime and justice news.
- The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, has frequently been at the heart of war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan, with disputes over hydroelectric projects like Kishenganga and Ratle delaying the development of critical water infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
