India has strongly denied allegations made by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari that New Delhi is employing water as a weapon, terming such claims a deliberate misuse of an international forum. During a World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, Indian Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, directly challenged Zardari’s statements. He characterized the remarks regarding the Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir as an attempt to divert global attention from critical social development issues by spreading misinformation about India.
Mandaviya emphasized India’s consistent adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty since its inception in 1960, brokered by the World Bank. However, he accused Pakistan of undermining the treaty’s spirit through ongoing hostility and cross-border terrorism. Furthermore, he stated that Pakistan has repeatedly exploited the treaty’s mechanisms to impede India’s legitimate water projects. The treaty historically divides the Indus River system, granting India control over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and Pakistan control over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
Addressing the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the minister unequivocally stated that the region is an internal matter for India, and Pakistan has no standing to comment, especially given its alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism. Mandaviya urged Pakistan to focus on its domestic development challenges, suggesting that a focus on its own issues would be more productive than relying on international aid. He then highlighted India’s significant progress in poverty reduction, food security, healthcare, and housing, attributing this success to comprehensive reforms and digital innovations, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive growth.