Indus Water Treaty Is Most Unfair Document To People Of J-K: CM Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed strong disapproval of the Indus Water Treaty, calling it the “most unfair document” ever imposed on the people of the Union Territory. The treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, has long been a point of contention in the region.
Speaking to the media, Abdullah said, “The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as J&K is concerned, we have never supported the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that it is the most unjust document for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The Chief Minister also spoke about the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and discussed the security concerns of J&K residents living outside the Union Territory. He said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured him of measures to protect those citizens.
“It is deeply regrettable that this attack occurred. We have taken up all related concerns in our meetings. I spoke with the Union Home Minister, who assured me that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure the safety of people from J&K residing in other states. An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry, and the Union Minister has already spoken with the Chief Ministers of several states,” Abdullah added.
In the wake of the terror attack on April 22 at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam—which left 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen dead, and several others injured—the Centre has decided to revisit the terms of the Indus Water Treaty.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting at his residence in New Delhi on Friday evening to discuss the matter. Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and other senior government officials are expected to attend.
According to government sources cited by ANI, India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about its decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, informed Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources Secretary, Syed Ali Murtaza, of this move through an official letter. The letter also mentions that India has proposed amendments to the treaty.
This decision was reportedly taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by key ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
