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| Indus Water Treaty Hit J&K Hard | | | Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has once again brought the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) into focus by stating that it caused great harm to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister welcomed the suspension of the IWT saying he had always opposed the treaty from the very beginning. “It is good that it has been suspended. Now measures must be taken so that we are able to use that water for ourselves,” he said.
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in April 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 persons, mostly tourists dead. Since then, the treaty continues to remain in abeyance. PM Modi has made it clear that “blood and water cannot flow together.”
The Prime Minister had underlined the view that continued cooperation under the IWT was untenable in the face of sustained cross-border terrorism. Since then, the treaty has remained in abeyance sending a clear message to perpetrators that terror won’t be tolerated.
When the treaty was suspended CM Omar had termed it as a move in right direction and had maintained that the step would go a long way in allowing Jammu and Kashmir to become self-reliant in the power sector and utilising Chenab River water for Jammu would end water scarcity in the region for the next 30 years.
Beyond water supply, the suspension also revives the possibility of long-pending infrastructure projects related to hydropower, navigation and flood management. For a region with enormous hydropower potential but chronic energy deficits, this could mark a turning point. Increased power generation would not only meet local needs but also create revenue streams and employment opportunities, strengthening the region’s economic base.
Omar Abdullah’s renewed emphasis on the IWT reflects a broader sentiment in the region—that historical agreements should be periodically reassessed in light of changing realities.
The suspension of the treaty has created a rare window for Jammu and Kashmir to reclaim control over its natural resources. Whether this moment translates into lasting self-reliance and prosperity will depend on how decisively and wisely the opportunity is used. |
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