New Delhi, June 10: India is working on a plan to divert more water from the Indus river system for domestic use, with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil stating that the government aims to ensure that not a single drop of water flows to Pakistan in the coming years.
The minister said efforts are underway to maximize the use of Indus waters within India and that detailed plans are being prepared to achieve this goal.The remarks come amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty.
According to government statements, India has placed the treaty in abeyance and is exploring projects to utilize river waters for the benefit of Indian states.Pakistan has expressed concern over the proposed measures and maintains that any unilateral diversion of water would violate the spirit of the long-standing water-sharing agreement between the two countries.
The developments have added a new dimension to India-Pakistan relations, with water sharing emerging as a key issue in the ongoing diplomatic and regional debate.