Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that water rightfully belonging to India, which was earlier flowing out of the country, will now be utilised domestically. His remarks came in the wake of India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking at the ABP Network India@2047 Summit, PM Modi underlined the government’s commitment to securing India’s water resources and enhancing agricultural productivity through river interlinking initiatives.
“These days, there is a lot of discussion in the media about water. Pehle Bharat ke haq ka paani bhi bahar ja raha tha… ab Bharat ka paani, Bharat ke haq mein bahega, Bharat ke haq mein rukega aur Bharat ke hi kaam aayega,” he said. (Earlier, the water over which India had a rightful claim was flowing out. Now, it will flow, stay, and be used in India’s interest.)
India has taken a series of measures following the Pahalgam terror attack, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, as a stern message to Pakistan for its continued support of cross-border terrorism. The attack claimed the lives of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national. The government has vowed strict action against the perpetrators.
Under the treaty, the waters of the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, while the Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) are allocated to India. However, both countries are allowed limited use of each other’s rivers. Currently, India can use about 20% of the Indus system waters, while Pakistan receives the remaining 80%.
Referring to his government’s efforts to address water scarcity and enhance irrigation, PM Modi highlighted major river-linking projects.
“For decades, the water of our rivers has been a subject of conflict. Now, in coordination with state governments, we have launched large-scale projects to link rivers. The Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link projects will benefit millions of farmers,” he said.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the transformation in India’s banking sector over the last decade.
“Before 2014, the banking system was on the verge of collapse. Today, it is one of the strongest globally. Banks are registering record profits, and depositors are benefiting. This turnaround is the result of significant reforms, including the strategic merger of several smaller banks,” PM Modi said.
He further touched upon the implementation of the long-pending One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, asserting the government’s commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen.
“For decades, OROP was dismissed on financial grounds. We made it a reality. So far, over ₹1.25 lakh crore has been disbursed, benefiting lakhs of former soldiers and their families,” he said.
PM Modi also highlighted that 25 crore Indians have been lifted out of poverty in the last ten years, adding that schemes like Mudra Yojana have empowered small entrepreneurs and showcased that democracy can indeed deliver results.
ANI
