Jammu and Kashmir have suffered losses due to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan and should be compensated by the Centre, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday, two days after India decided to “exploit to the maximum” the water of Pak-controlled rivers.
“Today, many things are being talked about. There is a talk of IWT… We are facing losses on account of IWT. We should get compensation and we cannot ask Pakistan for that but our own country. Whatever we get, be it our power projects or anything, we should get,” she said at a function.
ALSO READ: HM Rajnath Singh to visit Leh, Kargil on October 3-4
Under the Treaty, which was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960, control of three rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir — Jhelum, Indus, and Chenab, was given to Pakistan while India was given control over Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej, all passing through Punjab.
Because of the treaty, no big dams or power projects can be built by India on Jhelum, Indus or Chenab.
“There have been so many wars, but IWT wasn’t touched because both the countries benefited from our resources, even as J and K suffered losses,” Mehbooba said while speaking at the launch of PM Ujwala Yojana.
Her remarks came two days after the Prime Minister asserted that “Blood and water cannot flow together” and decided that India will “exploit to the maximum” the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum.
ALSO READ: Petition to declare Pak as ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’, gathers heavy response
Held amidst heightened tension between the India and Pakistan, the meeting also decided to set up an inter- ministerial task forces to go into the details and working of the Treaty with a “sense of urgency”, senior government sources said.
She said her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had wanted joint use of resources by both the countries for friendship between them.
“Mufti sahab always had this thinking that we should both do such things so that we can use our resources jointly for our as well as their benefit so that there is friendship instead of animosity. But unfortunately, even as there were many attempts, it has not happened so far, she said.
The chief minister said she had hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit Pakistan for the SAARC summit in November but noted that he cannot go under the circumstances following Uri attack.
“SAARC was to happen in Pakistan and I had hopes that our PM will get an opportunity to go there but how will he go? Under what circumstances will he go there? she said.
India, along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, has decided not to attend the 8-nation Summit because of unabated cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, the venue.