New Delhi: India on Thursday again reaffirmed its firm stance on the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, saying the pact will remain in “abeyance” until Islamabad “credibly and irrevocably” ceases support for cross-border terrorism. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks amid ongoing hostilities between the two countries.
Speaking to the media, Jaiswal added that “water and blood cannot flow together”, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statements linking the issue of terrorism with water-sharing agreements. He further added that bilateral talks between India and Pakistan will only be possible once Pakistan vacates the illegally occupied territories of Kashmir.
‘Talks and terror don’t go together’
Responding to queries about US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate on the Kashmir dispute, Jaiswal reiterated India’s position that any engagement with Pakistan must be strictly bilateral. “Talks and terror don’t go together,” he said.
The statement came after escalations after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed lives 26 civilian, mostly tourists. In retaliation, India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
Ceasefire in place
After over 80 hours of attacks and counter attacks, both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to cease firing and military actions along the Line of Control, an agreement that is currently holding.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said the ceasefire is “not suspended or temporary” and that military-to-military talks via Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) are progressing smoothly.
