‘Conditional’ Ceasefire: No Change on Indus Valley Treaty

‘Conditional’ Ceasefire: According to sources, India’s stance on diplomatic measures against the neighboring country, such as the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, has not changed, and the ceasefire with Pakistan is conditional. The sources emphasized that Pakistan was the one who started the ceasefire negotiations and cited a statement made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that reaffirmed India’s unwavering anti-terrorism position, which will not be altered.

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In a press briefing after the ceasefire, the Ministry of Defence emphasized that India successfully repelled three major waves of Pakistani missile and drone attacks. It also confirmed that Indian forces severely damaged Pakistan’s air defence systems, making its airspace virtually undefendable. The ministry added that India responded to every provocation from Pakistan with strength and will respond forcefully to any future escalation as well.

Indus Waters Treaty:

India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan on Wednesday, a day after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 people, including tourists. The action is one of five significant punitive measures that New Delhi has implemented against Islamabad following the terror strikes.

Impact on Pakistan:

The major river, the Indus, along with its five left-bank tributaries, the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Jhelum, and Chenab, make up the Indus system. The right-bank tributary, Kabul, does not pass through India.

We refer to the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus as Western Rivers, while we classify the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej as Eastern Rivers. Both India and Pakistan depend on these waterways. Pradeep Kumar Saxena, who served as India’s Indus Water Commissioner for over six years, said, “India, as an upper riparian country, has multiple options. If the Government decides, this could be the first step toward abrogating the Treaty.”

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