PM Modi Calls Indus Water Treaty “One-Sided”, Says India Will No Longer Tolerate Depriving Farmers Of Their Share

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, sharply criticised the Indus Water Treaty, calling it a “one-sided agreement” that has deprived Indian farmers of their rightful share of river water for decades.

“The people of the country fully understand how unjust and one-sided the Indus agreement is,” Modi said.

“The rivers originating from India are irrigating the enemy’s fields, while the farmers of my own country, and the land of my own country, remain thirsty without water. For the past seven decades, this has caused unimaginable damage to the farmers of my country. The water that is India’s rightful share belongs solely and entirely to India and to the farmers of India. India will not tolerate this any longer. In the interest of our farmers and in the interest of our nation, we cannot accept this agreement," he said.

Linking water security to national security, he declared, “Now India has decided that the water and blood will not flow together.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks mark one of the strongest public criticisms of the 1960 treaty, signed between India and Pakistan with the World Bank as a guarantor.

The pact allocates the waters of the eastern rivers are reserved largely for Pakistan, with limited usage rights for India.

While his speech ranged over other themes, including tributes to Constitution-makers, remembrance of natural disaster victims, and saluting security personnel for their bravery in Operation Sindoor, it was his pointed remarks on the Indus Water Treaty that drew the sharpest focus.

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