India on Thursday said the Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance in response to Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, reiterating its firm stance on national security.
The remarks were made by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing in the national capital, as the country marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor.
Jaiswal recalled the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack last year, in which 26 people were killed, and said India had responded decisively to Pakistan’s actions.
“The entire world saw the Pahalgam terrorist attack for what it was. We gave a befitting reply to Pakistan for its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism,” he said.
Emphasising India’s position, he added, “The world knows that cross-border terrorism has long been an instrument of state policy for Pakistan. We in India have every right to defend ourselves against terrorism.”
On the status of the water-sharing pact, Jaiswal said, “The Indus Water Treaty stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan's sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Pakistan must credibly and irrevocably abjure its support for cross-border terrorism.”
The Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan, was suspended following the Pahalgam attack, marking a significant shift in bilateral arrangements.
A year after the decision, the impact remains visible on the ground, with infrastructure such as the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir continuing to operate under tightened conditions, with its gates kept closed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking one year of Operation Sindoor, said the mission reflected India’s firm response to terrorism and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding national security.
He praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the armed forces in carrying out the operation.
Launched on May 7, 2025, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor was conceived as a calibrated, tri-services campaign aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan.
The government has maintained that its actions signals a broader commitment to counter terrorism globally while defending its sovereignty and citizens.
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