President Asif Ali Zardari deserves praise for highlighting India’s growing belligerence towards Pakistan during his visit to Qatar.
Speaking at the United Nations World Conference on Social Development in the Qatari capital Doha, he has pointed out that India is using water as a weapon against Pakistan and urged the international community to uphold justice, peace, and equality.
He has also reportedly told the moot that the violation of the Indus Waters Treaty that India has unilaterally put in abeyance in violation of international laws and norms poses a serious threat to 240 million Pakistanis, emphasizing that such actions amount to depriving an entire nation of water, which cannot be tolerated.
Needless to say, the President of Pakistan is spot on. Irked by its humiliation in the four-day conflict against Pakistan in May, India has clearly upped the ante.
India, for example, did not inform Pakistan in advance about the increased flows of water in Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers. It is important to note that under the Indus Water Treaty, three rivers that flow westwards were awarded to Pakistan and the three eastern-flowing rivers were granted to India.
In the post-floods situation, India is devising a strategy aimed at, among other things, chocking Pakistan’s water supplies that the latter receives through Jhelum and Chenab rivers, putting at risk its agriculture in particular.
More importantly, India’s ongoing show of belligerence, not strength, through its tri-service drill along the western border with Pakistan months after a brief armed conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors speaks volumes about New Delhi’s devious plans against Islamabad. In other words, the incumbent BJP government has clearly assumed a more aggressive posture due to the fear of removal following the loss of a lot of political capital in recent months.
Last but not least, the United Nations must take note of India’s escalating political rhetoric and actions against Pakistan without any further loss of time.
Amir Sultan Bhoon (Chiniot, Punjab)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.