Latest news with #Pakistan-aided
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Strategic shift: JK CM seeks Centre's nod for Tulbul barrage and Chenab lift project; Indus Waters Treaty suspension opens window
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Centre to clear two long-pending water infrastructure projects—the Tulbul Navigation Barrage in north Kashmir and a Chenab River water-lifting scheme for Jammu—after New Delhi suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in response to Pakistan-aided terrorism. The Centre's move came in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. As part of a broader retaliatory package, the government placed the IWT in abeyance, freeing India to explore new water management projects on rivers otherwise reserved for Pakistan. India is entitled to full use of waters from the eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—totalling about 33 million acre-feet (MAF), while Pakistan has rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, which together carry 135 MAF annually. In an interview to PTI, Abdullah reiterated his long-standing opposition to the IWT, calling it 'the most unfair document ever imposed on the people of Jammu and Kashmir'. As former Minister of State for External Affairs, he has consistently argued that the treaty handicapped the region's ability to store water and mandated that all power projects remain 'run of the river'. 'We can't suddenly build power projects and start storing water,' Abdullah said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing Older Women should Avoid Learn More Undo 'It will take time before the benefits of the Indus Waters Treaty start flowing to us.' He said the state is now focused on 'medium-term projects that can begin immediately,' starting with the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage—also known as the Wullar Barrage—at Sopore in north Kashmir. The proposed installation of drop gates at the barrage would regulate water levels in the Jhelum River, aiding both navigation and winter power generation at downstream hydroelectric stations like Lower Jhelum and Uri. 'This project will not only facilitate navigation but also enable us to generate more electricity in winter,' the chief minister said. Originally approved in 1986, the Tulbul project was halted in 1987 after Pakistani objections. India revived work after the 2016 Uri attack, but efforts to negotiate its status failed as Pakistan refused to engage during five rounds of Permanent Indus Commission talks between 2017 and 2022. India maintains that the project complies with the IWT, as it does not store water for consumptive use and qualifies as a non-consumptive regulating structure. The second proposal—the Chenab Water Supply Scheme—aims to address mounting water stress in Jammu city. Abdullah said the Chenab River, which runs near Akhnoor, could serve as a long-term source for Jammu's drinking water. 'This project could feed Jammu for the next two to three decades,' he said, adding that 'we have already had the conversation' with the Centre and that a senior advisor to the Prime Minister had recently visited the Union territory to review both the Tulbul and Chenab proposals. The Jammu and Kashmir government has also sought permission to engage international funding agencies for the Chenab project, which would lift water from the river and distribute it across the district to meet growing demand. Jammu, the region's winter capital, currently depends on the Tawi River—a tributary that eventually joins the Chenab in Pakistan—for its drinking water. With the Tawi's capacity falling short, the administration sees the Chenab lift scheme as a vital alternative. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Like cat guarding milk': Rajnath Singh slams UNSC for naming Pakistan in anti-terror panel; says PoK will join 'Bharat' soon
Defence minister Rajnath Singh addresses a gathering during a dialogue on the topic 'National Security & Terrorism', in Dehradun. (PTI) NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday criticised the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for appointing Pakistan as the vice-chair of its counter-terrorism panel. Singh said this decision is similar to "making the cat guard the milk" as Pakistan has a known history of protecting and supporting terrorists. "What is astonishing is that this Counter-Terrorism panel, was formed after the 9/11 terror attacks. Pakistan had sheltered the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. This (decision) is akin to cat guarding the milk," Singh said. At an event in Dehradun, Singh said Pakistan has supported terrorism for many years and described Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the Pahalgam attack, as the "biggest action" against terrorism in India's history. Singh pointed out that both India and Pakistan became independent at the same time, but while India is now seen as the "mother of democracy", Pakistan has gained the label of "father of global terrorism". He said this comparison should be kept in mind. Singh also said Pakistan is "stubborn" and needs to be dealt with using "strategic, diplomatic and economic pressure" from the global community to stop terrorism from its land. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3.5, 4.5 BHK Homes starting at ₹4.89 Cr.* Hero Homes Learn More Undo "Pakistan has always given shelter to terrorists, trained them on its soil and helped them. Pahalgam (attack) was just an example, but I want to tell you that list of Pakistan-aided terrorists is very long. And, Pakistan always tries to justify terrorism. So, it is important that we eliminate not just these terrorists but the entire terror infrastructure that aids them," he said. He added that Pakistan has not been able to stop development in Kashmir despite efforts. "Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link is a shining example of the government's relentless pursuit of progress in Jammu & Kashmir. Soon, PoK will join us and say 'I, too, am Bharat'," he said. Shashi Tharoor, Priyanka Chaturvedi Share Key Insights After Meeting PM Modi At His Residence Calling terrorism a problem for humanity and a global issue, Singh said that no society should accept it. He also mentioned that some people glorify terrorists as "freedom fighters" and said, "no revolution is born out of the womb of terrorism, it only engenders destruction and hatred". Singh further stated that "No religious, ideological or political reason can justify terrorism. No human objective can ever be achieved through bloodshed and violence." He said Pakistan supports terrorism and a large portion of its foreign aid is used to fund this support. "Funding Pakistan means funding the infrastructure of terrorism. Pakistan is a nursery of terrorism. It should not be nourished," he said, asking other countries to stop giving money to Pakistan. Singh said that Pakistan's land has been a shelter for global terror groups. He named terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar who move freely there, and added that even senior officers of the Pakistan Army have attended terrorists' funerals. "Now, the same country is expected to lead the global community against terrorism. This raises serious questions on the intentions and policies of the international system," he said. Singh urged the international community and organisations like the UN to take the issue of terrorism seriously. He said, "Only when we are free from terrorism, will we be able to move towards the goal of global peace, progress and prosperity."
