Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has strongly condemned Pakistan's continued support for terrorism, declaring that the NDA government will not allow the waters of the Indus river to reach those who sponsor it. Speaking at an intellectuals' meeting organised by the Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party in Hyderabad, Singh asserted that through Operation Sindoor, the government had demonstrated to the world its capacity to respond firmly to those who do not understand the language of peace and harmony. He stated that following the Pahalgam terror attack, India had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, sending a clear message that those who cause bloodshed should not expect water from India. His comments reiterate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier assertion that blood and water cannot flow together.
The Indus Waters Treaty was originally signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960 to govern the utilisation of the Indus river system. However, following the heinous attack in Pahalgam, India exercised its rights as a sovereign nation under international law, placing the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism. Delhi’s position on this continues to be the same that no international understanding can operate in vacuum, and as long as there is abnormality in relations between the two countries, the water treaty cannot take effect.
When it comes to talking about the achievements of the NDA government over the last 12 years, the Defence Minister pointed out the repeal of Article 370, progress being made to make India Naxal-free, the introduction of GST, the electrification of the whole nation, and reforms in the judicial process. He pointed out that even though it was thought by the Congress that Article 370 would never be repealed, the current government managed to do it with ease.
In conclusion to his speech, Singh commented on the total transformation that Kashmir has witnessed. “A place that was once marked by fear is now witnessing tourism, investments and jobs.” The other thing he pointed out is that the national flag is flying high at Lal Chowk in Srinagar and celebrations of culture and religion take place without fear – even during Muharram. Cinemas that remained shut for many years have begun to operate.
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