‘Not a single drop will flow to Pakistan,’ says Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil on Indus waters: Report

Published 9 June 2026 · politics

India clearly stated on Tuesday that the government is clear that Pakistan will not be receiving any water from the Indus river system in the

India clearly stated on Tuesday that the government is clear that Pakistan will not be receiving any water from the Indus river system in the years to come. Union jal shakti minister CR Patil said that the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries has not been terminated but is currently in 'abeyance', and that the government is making efforts to stop the flow of water into Pakistan. “It still stands; rather, the treaty has been kept in abeyance. And since Prime Minister Modi took this decision, every effort is being made to ensure not a single drop flows there,” Patil said in an interview with ANI. He also revealed that the issue is under the scrutiny of the highest government levels. “Under the Prime Minister's directives, Home Minister Amit Shah is also personally monitoring the matter, and we are actively working on it. I believe the work is proceeding in a time-bound manner. It is certain—not a single drop of water will go in the coming years; I can tell you that much,” the minister further stated, as per the report. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What did India’s Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil say about the Indus waters for Pakistan?

⌵ CR Patil stated that no water from the Indus river system will flow to Pakistan in the coming years, emphasizing that the Indus Water Treaty is in 'abeyance' but has not been terminated. 2 Why is Pakistan concerned about India's water diversion plans related to the Chenab river? ⌵ Pakistan claims that India's plans to divert water from the Chenab river would violate the Indus Waters Treaty and international laws, as it may significantly impact the water flow to Pakistan. 3 How does the Indus Water Treaty govern water distribution between India and Pakistan? ⌵ The Indus Water Treaty allocates the entire flows of the western rivers (Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus) to Pakistan, while India has rights over the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi). 4 What is the current status of the Indus Water Treaty according to Indian officials? ⌵ Indian officials state that the Indus Water Treaty is currently in 'abeyance', with efforts underway to ensure that no water is sent to Pakistan. 5 Should India proceed with its plans for the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel project? ⌵ This decision is contentious, as Pakistan claims it would violate the Indus Waters Treaty, suggesting that India should consider international laws and diplomatic implications before proceeding.

A Court of Arbitration (COA) on the treaty at the Hague on 15 May, 2026, had issued an award, which was categorically rejected by India. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had then said, "“India categorically rejects the present so-called award, just as it has firmly rejected all prior pronouncements of the illegally constituted CoA,” and added that any decision or directions issued by the CoA was "null and void". What Pakistan said regarding the IWT Pakistan claimed last week that India's plans to build a river-linking project to divert water from Chenab would be a "grave violation" of the Indus Waters Treaty and other international laws. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi was reacting to questions about media reports that said India is planning to tunnel Chenab water to the Beas river, both part of the Indus basin. The IWT, brokered by the World Bank, has governed the distribution and use of the Indus river and its tributaries between India and Pakistan. "Yes, we have seen this report as well as the public tender document issued by the government of India that India has invited bids for the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel project with the intention of transferring 1.9 million acre feet (MAF) of water annually from Chenab into the Beas system.