India again threatens to restrict flow of river water to Pakistan as tension builds

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

An Indian government minister has reiterated the country’s plan to restrict the flow of water to Pakistan from its share of rivers, the latest effort by New Delhi to pressure its neighbour after a militant attack in Kashmir.

“Our government has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan,” Nitin Gadkari, transport and water resources minister, said in a tweet on Thursday. He added that the country would divert water from eastern rivers and supply it to its people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab states.

Gadkari did not elaborate but officials from his ministry said he was re-stating decisions already taken by prime minister Narendra Modi, including a dam project cleared by his cabinet last December. Officials said no new decision had been taken on Thursday.

The comments underlined New Delhi’s anger over an attack by a Pakistan-based militant group last week in the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed 40 paramilitary police. India has accused Pakistan of not doing enough to control such groups, while Pakistan has denied involvement.

-snip-

Reuters
Fri 22 Feb 2019 03.00 GM


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/22/india-again-threatens-to-restrict-flow-of-river-water-to-pakistan-as-tension-builds

[Roy Rolling]

1. Not Good

Refusing people water seldom leads to peace.

I've seen it during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Drinking water during 90-degree heat is something people were eagerly willing to go to war over.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Even worse when the states in question have nukes.

[JI7]

3. Pakistan doesn't really have control of their own govt/country

by "pakistan" i mean the elected officials.

denying water would only make things worse.

India has good relations with afghanistan and iran. they should work on doing the same among people in pakistan and isolate the extremists until they can be defeated.

[EX500rider]

4. As long as the Pakistani military controls their govt and courts..

....they won't allow anyone who is open to being friendly with India in power. Their use of India as the boogeyman is how they justify their power and budgets.

[Devil Child]

6. Why the burden on India to improve relations?

Especially when it is Pakistan facilitating terrorist attacks against India on Indian territory.

[JI7]

7. because Pakistan is pretty much a failed state being propped up by China

[Cold War Spook]

5. If any 2 countries start WWIII,

India-Pakistan would be at or near the top. I consider Iran a lesser threat.