Sujeet Kumar says Pakistan could benefit from renewed talks, but the old treaty cannot return in its previous form
New Delhi, September 22. (SDNA) India remains open to discussions with Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty, but any fresh agreement would depend on Pakistan ending its support for terrorism and approaching the negotiating table with genuine intent, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar has said.
Speaking to a foreign news channel, Kumar said the circumstances that existed when the Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 had changed substantially. According to him, India could consider a new arrangement, but the previous agreement could not simply be restored in its old form.
‘A fresh agreement could benefit Pakistan’
Kumar said Pakistan would itself benefit from returning to the negotiating table.
“I believe a new deal can be possible if Pakistan comes to the negotiating table. Circumstances have changed and Pakistan will have to understand this,” he said, adding that resuming dialogue could ultimately be in Pakistan’s interest.
The BJP MP stressed that India had never rejected diplomacy or dialogue as a means of resolving disputes. However, he said meaningful negotiations would require an end to terrorism and what he described as Pakistan’s proxy war against India.
Terrorism remains a key condition
According to Kumar, India had shown considerable goodwill when the treaty was negotiated more than six decades ago. Under the agreement, the waters of the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—were allocated primarily to India, while the western rivers—Indus, Chenab and Jhelum—were largely allocated to Pakistan.
He argued that India had accepted the arrangement in the spirit of being a responsible neighbour but subsequently faced repeated conflicts and terrorism.
Kumar said Pakistan could not expect the treaty framework to continue unchanged while simultaneously pursuing policies that India considers hostile.
“India has never stepped back from talks and diplomacy. But Pakistan must stop targeting India, end the proxy war and stop supporting terrorism,” he said.
Why the Indus Waters Treaty is important
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 with the World Bank playing a role in its implementation. The agreement divided the six major rivers of the Indus river system between the two countries.
The eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—were allocated for India’s unrestricted use, while Pakistan received rights over the western rivers—Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, subject to provisions allowing India certain permitted uses.
The treaty survived several periods of serious tension and armed conflict between the two countries, making it one of the most significant examples of a long-running water-sharing arrangement between hostile neighbours.
India’s position has hardened
The latest comments come amid India’s tougher position on the treaty following heightened tensions with Pakistan.
India has argued that the existing framework needs to be reconsidered in light of changed circumstances, including security concerns, population growth, development requirements and the changing nature of relations between the two countries.
For Pakistan, the Indus river system is of enormous economic and agricultural importance. A substantial portion of its irrigation and agricultural activity depends on waters flowing through the system.
This makes any discussion about a revised water-sharing arrangement strategically significant for both countries.
The arbitration issue
The treaty contains mechanisms for resolving disagreements between India and Pakistan. Over the years, disputes over projects on the western rivers have led to proceedings under different mechanisms associated with the treaty.
India has objected to processes that it believes go beyond the treaty framework and has maintained that disputes should be addressed according to the agreed provisions.
Kumar said India would not accept any external process that, in New Delhi’s assessment, undermines its sovereign rights or security interests.
What could a new deal mean?
A fresh agreement, if negotiations eventually take place, could potentially address issues that were not as prominent when the original treaty was negotiated in 1960.
These could include changing water requirements, climate-related pressures, hydropower development, flood management, data sharing and mechanisms for resolving technical disputes.
However, reaching such an agreement would require a major improvement in bilateral relations. Water diplomacy cannot be separated entirely from the broader security relationship between India and Pakistan.
Pahalgam attack and suspension of the treaty
India’s decision to suspend the treaty followed the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which tourists were killed.
The suspension marked a significant escalation in India’s approach to the decades-old water-sharing arrangement and linked the future of the treaty more closely with broader security concerns.
Pakistan has repeatedly sought restoration of the treaty framework, while India has maintained that the previous arrangement cannot simply continue unchanged under the prevailing circumstances.
Water diplomacy could become a strategic instrument
The debate over the Indus Waters Treaty is therefore no longer limited to water allocation. It has increasingly become part of the wider strategic relationship between India and Pakistan.
For India, the central question is how to protect its water, development and security interests while retaining diplomatic options. For Pakistan, the challenge is to secure reliable access to the river system that is crucial to its agriculture and economy.
A new agreement, if negotiations eventually begin, would therefore have to balance water security, development needs, environmental concerns and national security.
For now, Kumar’s remarks indicate that India is not closing the door on diplomacy. But the message is equally clear: any future water agreement would have to emerge from changed bilateral circumstances, and an end to terrorism would be a key condition for meaningful dialogue.
(SDNA)