India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty Until Pakistan Ends Terror Support; Dialogue Linked to Terror Cessation
India Puts Indus Waters Treaty on Hold Until Pakistan Ends Terror Support: “Water and Blood Cannot Flow Together”
India has once again taken a firm stance against Pakistan, declaring that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Islamabad credibly and irreversibly ends its support for cross-border terrorism. The statement was made by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing on Thursday, in the wake of recent escalations following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly of Indian tourists.
No Engagement Without Accountability
Jaiswal reiterated India’s long-standing position that any engagement with Pakistan must be strictly bilateral and based on the cessation of terror activities.
“You are well aware of our position that any India-Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral,” he said, responding to a query on U.S. President Donald Trump expressing interest in mediating the Kashmir issue.
Firmly rejecting any third-party mediation, Jaiswal underscored:
“I would like to remind you that talks and terror don’t go together.”
India has consistently maintained that the Kashmir issue is an internal matter, and that the only point of discussion regarding Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with Pakistan would be:
“The vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.“
Indus Waters Treaty: A Strategic Lever
India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty — a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that governs water-sharing between the two countries — is part of a broader diplomatic response following the Pahalgam attack. The Ministry made it clear:
“The Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s powerful remark, Jaiswal added:
“Water and blood cannot flow together.“
This marks a rare and serious move, as the IWT has withstood multiple India-Pakistan conflicts in the past. The suspension signals a more assertive Indian posture, aiming to hold Pakistan accountable using both diplomatic and strategic tools.
Willingness to Discuss Handing Over of Terrorists
In a significant message, Jaiswal also expressed India’s openness to discuss one specific issue with Pakistan:
“We are open to discussing the handing over to India of terrorists whose list was provided to Pakistan some years ago.”
This includes individuals involved in attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks and other cross-border terrorism incidents.
Recent Developments: Ceasefire Understanding
Despite the hardline measures, some progress has been reported on the military front. On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that India and Pakistan had reached an understanding to stop all firing and military actions across land, air, and sea — a development seen as an attempt to reduce frontline tensions post-Operation Sindoor.
However, Indian officials have clarified that a ceasefire does not equate to normalization of relations or resumption of comprehensive dialogue.
Conclusion: Dialogue Only After Terror Ends
India’s message remains unequivocal: any future dialogue with Pakistan will depend on an end to terror sponsorship and a return of illegally occupied territories. Until then, both water and diplomacy will remain withheld.
The firm suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, paired with the clear diplomatic language from New Delhi, indicates a strategic recalibration — prioritizing national security over traditional restraint.
