No Indus talks until terror issues resolved: India

New Delhi

India has decided not to hold talks with Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) until its concerns about terrorism are resolved and the treaty is fully revised, sources revealed.

Pakistan’s Water Resources Secretary, Syed Ali Murtaza, has contacted his Indian counterpart, Debashree Mukherjee, several times through letters, urging New Delhi to resume discussions. He has expressed Pakistan’s willingness to address India’s objections. However, India has not responded to these requests and maintains that talks will not happen until terrorism concerns are seriously addressed.

The 1960 IWT, brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan. The river system includes the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—and the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

India suspended the treaty on April 22, following a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. The decision to pause the agreement was officially conveyed to Pakistan by Mukherjee.

Following this move, India is now planning a study to fully utilise its share of water under the treaty. The study will explore ways to maximise water use, including new infrastructure development and better resource management, ensuring India exercises its complete rights under the agreement.