Says “it won’t resume till Islamabad shows irreversible shift away from sponsoring anti-India violence”
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in an address in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday asserted that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan was not a peace initiative but rather an act of appeasement.
Jaishankar emphasized the need to review the treaty in light of current circumstances, stating that it would be suspended until Pakistan ceases its support for terrorism, highlighting the principle that “blood and water will not flow together.” During the discussion on Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar expressed condolences for the victims of a recent terror attack in Pahalgam and elaborated on India’s diplomatic stance during the operation. He noted that multiple countries sought clarity on the situation, but India maintained that any dialogue with Pakistan would be strictly bilateral, rejecting any form of mediation. Jaishankar clarified India’s military response, indicating that communication regarding hostilities would only occur through the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) channel. He also countered opposition claims about international diplomacy, stating that there had been no communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump from April 22 to June 16. Furthermore, he reinforced India’s position against accepting mediation or pressure from the international community, asserting that the country would not yield to nuclear blackmail. Jaishankar concluded by noting that the issue of terrorism has gained prominence on the global agenda due to the government’s persistent efforts.
