Srinagar: By putting the Indus Water Treaty on hold, India has gained an advantage by rapidly advancing hydroelectric projects like Kishanganga, Ratle, and Pakal Dul in Jammu and Kashmir.
This can now serve as both a key energy source and a means of strategic pressure on Pakistan, reports Dynamite News correspondent.
A panicked Pakistan called it a ‘declaration of war’
After this new stance of India on the Indus Water Treaty, panic is clearly visible in Pakistan. The Pakistan government has termed it a “declaration of war”. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto threatened that “either our water will flow in the Indus River or their (India’s) blood will flow.”
This statement has made it clear that Pakistan is extremely worried about this move.
Pakistan in Panic
The psychological effect of this move on India has already started showing in Pakistan. Pakistan’s political parties are now facing pressure from their citizens, especially when the Indian government is talking about controlling the flow of water from the western rivers.
Now India will not have to fear Pakistan’s opposition to the Kishanganga, Ratle, and Pakal Dul projects. Which was earlier raised on international forums. The combined effect of these projects gives India the power to create a strong strategic pressure against Pakistan.
Opportunity to put pressure on Pakistan
India has already diverted the water of the Jhelum River through a 23 km-long tunnel under the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project. This project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir.
On the same day, Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Pakal Dul Power Project, which is the largest 1000 MW hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir.
This project will not only give energy but will also give India real control over water. This project will be ready by mid-2026.
Ratle Hydro Project and Pakistan’s Objection
Another important project of India is the Ratle Hydroelectric Project. Which is of 850 MW. In this project, the water of the Chenab river was diverted through tunnels last year, which cleared the dam area and excavation and construction work could start there.
Pakistan had raised objections to the design of the project, especially the height of its spillway and the water level, but India approved the project for Rs 5,282 crore. Now India can build the project faster without paying much attention to Pakistan’s objections.
Indus Water Treaty
The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan was signed in 1960 between the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan, with the mediation of the World Bank.
Under this treaty, the rights of use of water were decided between the two countries. However, now after this move of India, this treaty has become history and India has strongly presented its position and right by changing its decision based on it.