The BRICS TimesHeavy rains have caused a surge in water levels of several cross-border rivers, previously governed by the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, now under suspension.
India on Friday clarified that it has been providing flood-related data to Pakistan strictly on humanitarian grounds, even though the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended. The decision to halt the treaty came in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in April, after which New Delhi imposed a series of diplomatic and economic measures against Islamabad.
In recent weeks, both India and Pakistan have experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall that resulted in widespread flooding in several areas across the two countries. The downpour has also led to a significant rise in the water levels of many trans-border rivers that had earlier been regulated under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which is now on hold.
Following the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, India announced its move to suspend the treaty as part of punitive actions. According to Indian authorities, the assault was orchestrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), an outfit linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). In retaliation, New Delhi also launched Operation Sindoor in May to dismantle terror infrastructure inside Pakistan.
“We have been sharing high flood data with Pakistan through our diplomatic channels as and when it is required. This sharing of data is happening through our high commission in Islamabad,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a regular media briefing.
“You’ve seen the kind of rainfall that is happening in that part of India and that part of the world. And this is being done based on humanitarian considerations,” he added, while explaining the reasoning behind India’s decision to continue transmitting flood information despite the suspension of the pact.
Even though the treaty has been placed on hold, India went ahead and shared flood warnings and weather updates with Pakistan in August to safeguard civilian lives, especially as several cross-border rivers were in spate. However, officials underlined that New Delhi has ceased providing any hydrological details through mechanisms outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty, including the Indus Waters Commission, since the suspension came into effect.
