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India again threatens to restrict flow of river water to Pakistan as tension builds India again threatens to restrict flow of river water to Pakistan as tension builds
(3 days later)
An Indian government minister has reiterated the country’s plan to restrict the flow of water to Pakistan from its share of rivers, the latest effort by New Delhi to pressure its neighbour after a militant attack in Kashmir.An Indian government minister has reiterated the country’s plan to restrict the flow of water to Pakistan from its share of rivers, the latest effort by New Delhi to pressure its neighbour after a militant attack in Kashmir.
“Our government has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan,” Nitin Gadkari, transport and water resources minister, said in a tweet on Thursday. He added that the country would divert water from eastern rivers and supply it to its people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab states.“Our government has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan,” Nitin Gadkari, transport and water resources minister, said in a tweet on Thursday. He added that the country would divert water from eastern rivers and supply it to its people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab states.
'Free pass for mobs': India urged to stem vigilante violence against minorities'Free pass for mobs': India urged to stem vigilante violence against minorities
Gadkari did not elaborate but officials from his ministry said he was re-stating decisions already taken by prime minister Narendra Modi, including a dam project cleared by his cabinet last December. Officials said no new decision had been taken on Thursday.Gadkari did not elaborate but officials from his ministry said he was re-stating decisions already taken by prime minister Narendra Modi, including a dam project cleared by his cabinet last December. Officials said no new decision had been taken on Thursday.
The comments underlined New Delhi’s anger over an attack by a Pakistan-based militant group last week in the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed 40 paramilitary police. India has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to control such groups, while Pakistan has denied involvement.The comments underlined New Delhi’s anger over an attack by a Pakistan-based militant group last week in the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed 40 paramilitary police. India has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to control such groups, while Pakistan has denied involvement.
The sharing of water supplies from the Indus river and its tributaries between the two countries is regulated under a 1960 treaty. In recent years India has begun ambitious irrigation plans and construction of many upstream dams, saying its use of upstream water is strictly in line with the treaty.The sharing of water supplies from the Indus river and its tributaries between the two countries is regulated under a 1960 treaty. In recent years India has begun ambitious irrigation plans and construction of many upstream dams, saying its use of upstream water is strictly in line with the treaty.
Following an attack on security forces in the Kashmir town of Uri in 2016, India began to fast-track development of some of the dam projects, escalating tensions between the arch-rivals.Following an attack on security forces in the Kashmir town of Uri in 2016, India began to fast-track development of some of the dam projects, escalating tensions between the arch-rivals.
Kashmir, a disputed region in the foothills of the Himalayas, has been at the centre of tensions between India and Pakistan since both states came into being in 1947. The region in the foothills of the Himalayas has been under dispute since India and Pakistan came into being in 1947.
Both claim it in full, but each controls a section of the territory, separated by one of the most heavily militarised borders in the world: the “line of control” based on a ceasefire border established after a 1947-48 war over the region. China controls another part in the east. Both claim it in full, but each controls a section of the territory, separated by one of the world's most heavily militarised borders: the 'line of control' based on a ceasefire border established after a 1947-48 war. China controls another part in the east.
India and Pakistan have gone to war three times over Kashmir, most recently in 1999. Artillery, mortar and small arms fire is still frequently exchanged over the ceasefire line. India and Pakistan have gone to war three times over Kashmir, most recently in 1999. Artillery, mortar and small arms fire are still frequently exchanged.
The roots of the conflict date back to the weeks after the partition of colonial India 71 years ago. Small, semi-autonomous “princely states” across the subcontinent were being folded into either India or Pakistan. The ruler of Kashmir dithered over which to join – until tribal fighters poured in from Pakistan, intent on winning the region for Islamabad. After the partition of colonial India 71 years ago, small, semi-autonomous 'princely states' across the subcontinent were being folded into India or Pakistan. The ruler of Kashmir dithered over which to join,  until tribal fighters entered from Pakistan intent on taking the region for Islamabad.
Kashmir turned to Delhi for assistance, signing a treaty of accession with India in exchange for the intervention of Indian troops, who fought the Pakistanis to the modern-day line of control. Kashmir asked Delhi for assistance, signing a treaty of accession in exchange for the intervention of Indian troops, who fought the Pakistanis to the modern-day line of control.
In 1948, the UN security council issued Resolution 47 calling for a referendum among Kashmiris to determine which country the region would join, or whether it would become an independent state. That referendum has never been held. In 1948, the UN security council called for a referendum in Kashmir to determine which country the region would join, or whether it would become an independent state. The referendum has never been held.
In its 1950 constitution, India granted Kashmir a large measure of independence. But, in the years since, it has eroded some of that autonomy and repeatedly intervened to rig elections and dismiss and jail democratically elected leaders. In its 1950 constitution, India granted Kashmir a large measure of independence. But since then it has eroded some of that autonomy and repeatedly intervened to rig elections, and dismiss and jail democratically elected leaders.
For the past three decades, Indian-controlled Kashmir has been roiled by an armed insurgency against its rule. Indian soldiers and Pakistan-backed guerillas fought a dirty war replete with accusations of torture, forced disappearances and extra-judicial killing. There has been an armed insurgency against Indian rule over its section of Kashmir for the past three decades. Indian soldiers and Pakistan-backed guerillas fought a war replete with accusations of torture, forced disappearances and extra-judicial killing.
Until 2004, the militancy was made up largely of Pakistani and Afghan fighters. But since then, especially after massive popular protests were put down with extreme force in 2016, locals have made up a growing share of the anti-India fighters. Until 2004, the militancy was made up largely of Pakistani and Afghan fighters. Since then, especially after protests were quashed with extreme force in 2016, locals have made up a growing share of the anti-India fighters.
For Indians, control of Kashmir — part of the country’s only Muslim-majority state — has been proof of its commitment to religious pluralism. For Pakistan, a state founded as a homeland for south Asian Muslims, Kashmir is the last occupied home of its co-religionists. Michael Safi For Indians, control of Kashmir – part of the country’s only Muslim-majority state – has been proof of its commitment to religious pluralism. For Pakistan, a state founded as a homeland for south Asian Muslims, it is the last occupied home of its co-religionists. Michael Safi
Pakistan has opposed some of these projects saying they violate the World Bank-mediated treaty on the sharing of the Indus waters, upon which 80% of its irrigated agriculture depends.Pakistan has opposed some of these projects saying they violate the World Bank-mediated treaty on the sharing of the Indus waters, upon which 80% of its irrigated agriculture depends.
On Thursday, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan authorised the country’s armed forces to hit back against India if attacked but repeated a call for an investigation into the attack in Kashmir.On Thursday, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan authorised the country’s armed forces to hit back against India if attacked but repeated a call for an investigation into the attack in Kashmir.
India’s top military commander in Kashmir, Lieutenant-General KJS Dhillon, accused Pakistan’s ISI spy agency on Tuesday of controlling those behind the bombing and warned of retribution.India’s top military commander in Kashmir, Lieutenant-General KJS Dhillon, accused Pakistan’s ISI spy agency on Tuesday of controlling those behind the bombing and warned of retribution.
India has long blamed Pakistan for a nearly 30-year revolt in Jammu and Kashmir, its only Muslim-majority state. Pakistan denies any involvement and has repeatedly urged New Delhi to hold talks to decide the future of the region.India has long blamed Pakistan for a nearly 30-year revolt in Jammu and Kashmir, its only Muslim-majority state. Pakistan denies any involvement and has repeatedly urged New Delhi to hold talks to decide the future of the region.
IndiaIndia
PakistanPakistan
KashmirKashmir
South and Central AsiaSouth and Central Asia
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