Omar Abdullah Backs Indus Treaty Suspension
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has backed the continued suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, arguing that the agreement has severely restricted the Union Territory’s ability to use its own river resources. His remarks came in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s warning that water was a “red line” for Islamabad.
Omar Abdullah Backs Indus Treaty Suspension
Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir had suffered for decades because of restrictions imposed under the 1960 water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan.
He argued that the region had been unable to fully utilise the Chenab and Jhelum rivers for drinking water, navigation, irrigation and major storage projects.
Abdullah said the treaty had “sucked our blood” and maintained that its suspension should continue so Jammu and Kashmir can make greater use of its water resources.
Omar Responds to Shehbaz Sharif Warning
His comments followed Sharif’s Independence Day address in Pakistan, where the Prime Minister described every drop of the country’s water as a “red line” and warned of a strong response to any threat to Pakistan’s water supplies.
Abdullah questioned Pakistan’s claims of concern for people in Jammu and Kashmir while opposing greater use of rivers flowing through the region.
Indus Waters Treaty Remains in Abeyance
India placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, linking restoration of the agreement to Pakistan ending support for cross-border terrorism.
The treaty, signed in 1960, largely allocates the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — to Pakistan while India has primary rights over the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
Abdullah has repeatedly argued that the agreement has disadvantaged Jammu and Kashmir despite many of the rivers originating or flowing through the region.
