SOURCE ; NEW18
Last Updated:May 20, 2025, 23:45 IST
Officials said since the 1960s – when the Indus Waters Treaty took place – a lot has changed while new challenges like climate change and depleting water levels have emerged
In a bipartisan move, 59 Indian political leaders will visit 32 countries to convey New Delhi’s stance on terrorism following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. (IMAGE: PTI)
The Indus Waters Treaty came up for specific mention at a briefing held for the members of Indian delegations that are to visit various foreign countries to take forward the country’s anti-terror message against Pakistan. Sources said the members were told that putting the water-sharing treaty in abeyance in light of the Pahalgam terror attack “is not simply a knee-jerk reaction”, and that it is actually “a calibrated step”.
The teams are marked for specific sets of countries to bolster India’s diplomatic strength after successful strikes on terror targets under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. They have leaders and members from both the ruling BJP-led NDA and opposition parties, underlining India’s democratic strength as well.
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As multi-party delegations leave for the designated foreign capitals, their members comprising former and sitting MPs, besides diplomats and ex-ambassadors, from three of the seven such delegations were briefed by officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
‘WERE ANYWAY TRYING TO REWORK THE TREATY’
India’s action on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) came up, too, in a wider context. Officials told the delegation members that since the 1960s – when the treaty took place – a lot has changed. New challenges have emerged, including climate change and the depleting water levels, they were told.
For the past two years and a half, India has been keen on reworking the treaty anyway, the officials added. Trust and friendship, which formed the basis of such a treaty, does not exist between the countries now, the briefing explained.
Sources further told News18 that when some members asked about possibilities of a thaw in relations in the near future, officials said it was highly unlikely, especially since Pakistan has not even acknowledged its role in harbouring terrorism.
DELEGATION DIPLOMACY: ‘WORLD WANTS TO HEAR INDIA’
Pakistan has sought to counter India’s move by sending a “peace delegation” of its own to “important world capitals”, led by the country’s former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. This team’s stated mission is to “underscore our sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region”, as per the Pakistan PM’s office.
Irrespective of Pakistan’s flimsy claims, India’s assertion is clear and pointed: that all terror links, direct and indirect, can be traced back to Pakistan.
The Indian delegations were told at the briefing that Pakistan could send delegations wherever it wanted, but the international community “wants to listen to India’s voice instead, given our global image over the last decade or so”.
When some members asked about the need for such delegations, the government briefers are learnt to have told them that the intention is to tell the world how Pakistan has been crying foul and playing victim even when India has sufficient proof now to show that Pakistan is indeed a terrorist state.
OUTREACH TO OVER 30 COUNTRIES
As part of the wide-ranging diplomatic initiative, more than 50 Indian leaders will travel to 32 countries and to the European Union headquarters in Brussels. The aim is to convey India’s position on cross-border terrorism and build international consensus in its aftermath. It follows the terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Indian strikes on terror bases operating with the support of the Pakistani Army under Operation Sindoor.
The delegations, as per sources, are likely to also carry dossier on Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism in India with evidence to convince the host countries. They said during the briefing, Misri told the teams that while India is committed to peace, it will not tolerate any terror attacks on its soil and will hit back as part of its “new normal”.
(With PTI inputs)
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
May 20, 2025, 19:36 IST
