Indus Water Treaty On Hold Till Pakistan Stops Supporting Cross-Border Terrorism: MEA

Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 16:29 IST

Water flows on the banks of Chenab River with the Baglihar hydroelectric project in the background, about 155 km (96 miles) northwest of Jammu, the winter capital of the troubled northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, October 2, 2005. World Bank-appointed observer Raymond Lefitte, who is visiting the site on Sunday, voiced optimism that the row over the Baglihar hydroelectric project, a project Islamabad opposes, will be sorted out, media reports said. Pakistan has raised objections over the height of the dam and said it violates the Indus Water Treaty. India says there is no substance in Pakistan's objections. REUTERS/Amit Gupta

After Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was “ready to talk" with India, even as the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended, India responded firmly on Thursday.

A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “Our position is very clear — any talks with Pakistan must be bilateral. However, talks and terrorism cannot go together."

He added that India has shared a list of wanted individuals with Pakistan and expects them to be handed over. “We will only discuss the return of those on the list. PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) must also be freed, as it is under illegal occupation," he said.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the spokesperson repeated, “Terror and talks cannot go side by side. Neither can talks and trade. But Pakistan seems to believe that water and terror can flow together."

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News india Indus Water Treaty On Hold Till Pakistan Stops Supporting Cross-Border Terrorism: MEA