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Any attempt to block water will have 'far-reaching consequences', warns FO after Indian minister's remarks
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

Any attempt to block water will have 'far-reaching consequences', warns FO after Indian minister's remarks

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pakistan's Foreign Office warned of "far-reaching consequences" and potentially an "act of war" if India deliberately blocks water essential for Pakistan's survival.
  • The warning came in response to remarks by Indian Water Minister CR Patil, who stated that not a single drop of water would go to Pakistan in the coming years.
  • Pakistan emphasized that water should not be treated as a political tool and vowed to defend its water rights through all available measures, urging India to act responsibly.

Pakistan's Foreign Office issued a stern warning Thursday, stating that any deliberate attempt to block water vital to the nation's survival and development would have "far-reaching consequences." FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described such an act as potentially amounting to an "act of war under Article 51 of the UN Charter."

Any such act would be treated with utmost seriousness and could possibly amount to an act of war under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

— Tahir AndrabiResponding to remarks by Indian water minister and explaining the potential consequences of blocking water.

Andrabi's remarks were a direct response to comments made by Indian Water Minister CR Patil, who told India's ANI news agency that "not a single drop of water will go (to Pakistan) in the coming years." Patil indicated that India was actively pursuing this after receiving "directives" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

not a single drop of water will go (to Pakistan) in the coming years.

— CR PatilRemarks made by the Indian Minister of Water to ANI news agency.

Pakistan firmly rejected the notion of water being used as a political tool or weapon. Andrabi stressed that any move to block or significantly reduce water flow, essential for the livelihood and well-being of over 250 million Pakistanis, would be "deeply irresponsible" and violate international obligations and India's own bilateral agreements. He asserted that India would bear the responsibility for any threat to regional peace and security.

Any attempt to block or substantially curtail water that is vital to the livelihood, agriculture and well-being of over 25o million Pakistanis would be a deeply irresponsible act.

— Tahir AndrabiDescribing the potential impact of India blocking water resources.

The Foreign Office declared Pakistan's readiness to "vigorously" defend its water rights using diplomatic, political, legal, and economic measures. Andrabi urged India to uphold its commitments and avoid actions that could escalate regional tensions, stating Pakistan would closely monitor developments concerning water resources originating from occupied Kashmir and elsewhere.

Pakistan firmly rejects any notion that water can be treated as a political tool or instrument of coercion or a weapon.

— Tahir AndrabiStating Pakistan's position on the use of water as a political tool.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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