Water will now flow for India's development, says Modi

NEW DELHI

Indian Prime Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said the country’s water “will no longer flow outside but will be utilised in the nation's development,” according to an official statement.

“India's water will remain within the nation, serving its rightful purpose for the country’s development,” he said, according to an official statement released by Modi’s office.

The statement comes in apparent reference to the now-suspended Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-long water sharing pact with Pakistan under which two nations regulated flow of six rivers on the Indus basin.

However, New Delhi suspended the treaty in the wake of the April 22 attack at Pahalgam tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir which left 26 people dead.

Without mentioning Pakistan, Modi said India’s “rightful share of water was flowing beyond its borders.” He was addressing an event hosted by a media group, according to the statement.

India blamed Pakistan for attack, saying it had “cross-border links.” Islamabad denied and instead offered a neutral probe with third-party monitoring.

Both countries have taken diplomatic measures against each other, including cancelling visas for each other’s citizens and recalling some diplomatic staff.

New Delhi also suspended the 1960 water-sharing treaty.

In recent days, many countries, including the US, have contacted leaders of both countries in an attempt to ease tensions.