A major political row is brewing in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir as the Modi-led Indian government in blatant violation of the Indus Water Treaty pushes forward with a controversial plan to divert water from the Indus river system.
The proposed 113-kilometre canal project—aimed at rerouting water from rivers governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) to the Indian states—has drawn fierce opposition from Kashmiri leaders and raised alarm over its ecological and political implications. The move is being seen as both a violation of international norms and a direct threat to Jammu’s already strained water resources.
A feasibility survey is currently underway to explore how water from rivers governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) can be redirected for domestic use. The treaty was recently put in abeyance following the Pahalgam false flag operation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi is using as a pretext to retain more control over the waters.
The project has sparked sharp political opposition, particularly from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has warned that Jammu’s water needs must not be sacrificed. He argued that the region is already facing drought-like conditions, and any diversion would further deepen the crisis.
As per the proposal, water from the Chenab River would be linked to the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej system, and the waters of the Indus and Jhelum rivers may also be rerouted through the planned canals.
Omar strongly objected to the plan, stating: “[Indian] Punjab already has rivers under the IWT. Did they give us water when we needed it? We required water from the Ujh and Shahpur Kandi projects… we had to fight for years to get water from Shahpur Kandi. Now, the water from our rivers is for us, and we will think about others later.”
Interestingly, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which holds a strong presence in Jammu, has remained silent on the issue. However, Omar’s firm stand has received widespread support in Jammu, where water shortages are common, especially during the summer months.
