CDS CHAUHAN SAID INDIA LOST FIGHTER JETS ON THE OPENING DAY OF OP SINDOOR

CDS CHAUHAN SAID INDIA LOST FIGHTER JETS ON THE OPENING DAY OF OP SINDOOR

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: India sharply criticised Pakistan on Saturday for attempting to inject "unwarranted references" into the International Glacier Conference in Tajikistan, marking the first time top leaders of the two nations have publicly clashed over the Indus Water Treaty at an international forum.

The confrontation unfolded at the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation, where minister of state for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh accused Pakistan of misusing the scientific platform to raise issues beyond its scope.

"India strongly objects and condemns Pakistan's attempt to use the International Glacier Conference to bring in unwarranted references to issues which do not fall within the purview of the forum," Singh said during his address at the plenary session.

The diplomatic spat comes after India decided on April 23 to keep the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam. Singh argued that fundamental changes since the treaty's execution—including technological advancement, demographic shifts, climate change, and persistent cross-border terrorism—necessitate reassessment of obligations.

"The treaty's preamble says it is concluded in spirit of goodwill and friendship. However, the unrelenting cross-border terrorism from Pakistan interferes with our ability to implement the treaty as per its provisions," Singh said, adding Pakistan itself violates treaty while blaming India for breaches.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had fired the opening salvo on Friday, declaring his country would not allow India to cross "red lines" by holding the treaty in abeyance and "endangering millions of lives for narrow political gains."

Dawn newspaper quoted Sharif calling India's decision "unilateral and illegal."