In a fiery address in Deshnoke, Bikaner on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a stern warning to Pakistan, reaffirming that no water from India’s rivers will be allowed to flow to the neighbouring country. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following recent terror attacks and India’s decision to suspend the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty.
“Pakistan will not get a single drop of water that belongs to India. Playing with the blood of Indians will cost Pakistan dearly,” the Prime Minister declared, addressing a cheering crowd. “This is India’s resolve, and no one in the world can deter us from this commitment.”
Indus Waters Treaty in Abeyance
The Prime Minister’s remarks referred to India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, which governs the sharing of six rivers between India and Pakistan — Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus. The decision to keep the treaty in abeyance came after the April 22 terrorist attack in Baisaran near Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
While Pakistan has urged India to reconsider what it described as a “unilateral” violation of the treaty, India has maintained a firm stance. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, echoing the Prime Minister’s message, said that India is open to dialogue with Pakistan only on one issue — terrorism.
“They know what to do,” Jaishankar stated, emphasizing that New Delhi will only engage in talks aimed at dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and handing over wanted terrorists.
Operation Sindoor: A New Form of Justice
Highlighting India’s strong response to terrorism, PM Modi lauded the armed forces for the swift execution of Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. He revealed that in just 22 minutes, nine major terrorist hideouts were destroyed, calling the operation a “new form of justice”.
“Though the bullets were fired at terrorists in Pahalgam, they pierced the hearts of 140 crore Indians,” he said. “Every citizen took a collective vow to turn terrorists to dust — and we fulfilled that promise.”
The Prime Minister praised the Indian armed forces for being granted full freedom to respond decisively, adding, “All three forces created such a chakravyuh (military trap) that Pakistan was brought to its knees.”
PM Modi described Operation Sindoor as more than just a counter-attack. “This is not just anger; this is the fierce form of a capable India. This is the new form of India,” he declared.
Political and Strategic Significance
The strong rhetoric from PM Modi marks a significant moment in India’s diplomatic and defense posture, with Pakistan once again at the receiving end of India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. The move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty — often seen as a symbol of cooperation even amid hostilities — signals a serious escalation in bilateral tensions.
As the country approaches major elections and with ongoing border challenges, the government’s tough stance is likely to resonate strongly with domestic audiences.
Sources By Agencies
