Twisted tale of Indian water threat stirs controversy

A bogus story on the Indian threat to halt water supply to Pakistan water circulating on social media.

The twisted tale sued an Indian letter to Pakistan in January – that in fact described the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as one of the most effective water-sharing mechanisms.

The fake news claimed that India threatened to suspend the water supply to Pakistan, stirring a controversy.

However, official sources rubbished the report, stating the fact is that India, in its letter dated January 25, 2023, has described the Indus waters accord as the most successful water-sharing agreement.

In the letter, India suggested bilateral talks under Article 12 to just fix a few ambiguities and Pakistan responded, assuring India of cooperation and expressing its consent for commissioner-level talks, the sources added.

Any change in this agreement can only be done by mutual consent as per the pact, they maintained. 

Blocking the waters – politically and diplomatically or even technically – is out of the question, the official sources said, adding that the letter content was changed to create a controversy and air propaganda to undermine the ties between the two neighbouring states. The officials stressed the need for steps to stem the spread of such a story.