New Delhi, Jul 30 (KNO): External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday told the Rajya Sabha that the Indus Water Treaty was not a peace initiative but a move for appeasement. He said the treaty, signed by the then Prime Minister with Pakistan, should be reviewed in the current context.
“The Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, signed by the then Prime Minister, was not to buy peace, but for appeasement,” Jaishankar said while participating in a discussion on Operation Sindoor, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Referring to recent developments, he said, “The Indus Water Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan irrevocably gives up its support of terrorism. Blood and water will not flow together.”
Opening the second day of the debate in the Rajya Sabha, the EAM began by expressing condolences for the civilians killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
He then detailed India's position during Operation Sindoor and the diplomatic communication with various countries during that time. “When Operation Sindoor commenced, several countries were in touch with us to see how serious the situation was and how long it would go,” he said. “We gave the same message to all countries, that we were not open to any mediation. Anything between us and Pakistan will only be bilateral."
On India’s military response, Jaishankar said, “We told them we were responding to the Pakistani attack and would continue to respond. If that fighting were to stop, Pakistan must make a request. And that request could only come through the channel of the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).”
He also addressed opposition claims related to international diplomacy. “I want to tell them (Opposition) that from April 22 to June 16, there has been no phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump,” he said.
Jaishankar said India conveyed to the international community that it would not accept any form of mediation or pressure tactics. “We gave a message that India is not open to mediation. We will not accept nuclear blackmail,” he said.
The EAM said that terrorism is now on the global agenda because of consistent efforts made by the present government—(KNO)