Not afraid of Pakistan threats on IWT, no restoration of treaty: Jal Shakti Minister

The government on Thursday said the India was not afraid of Pakistan's empty threats on the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty and the pact will not be restored.

Days after former Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto threatened war if India refused to renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty, Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, whose ministry oversees the treaty, responded firmly: “Water will not go anywhere. The treaty will not be renegotiated. What Bilawal Bhutto says is up to him. He has his own domestic politics to play.”

Paatil added that India stands to benefit significantly from ongoing plans to utilise excess waters from the western rivers, which were previously allocated to Pakistan under the treaty.

He also acknowledged receiving Pakistan’s requests to reconsider the suspension of the treaty, adding that it was only natural for Pakistan to appeal for the same.

“Writing of letters is natural but letters will not determine outcomes. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already clarified that the treaty will never be restored.”

The minister said Bilawal Bhutto had earlier too threatened that if IWT is suspended blood will flow in the Indus.

“Hum in geedad bhabkiyon se darte nahi hain (We are not afraid of these empty threats),” the minister added.

While acknowledging that India was working to utilise the waters of the western tributaries of the Indus, the minister did not divulge project details and said, “Some answers look good when given at their own time but whatever will happen will be good for us.”

He said it was not in national interest to divulge project specifics right now.