India to expedite construction of dams along Indus tributaries

WrittenBy:NL Team
Date:
  • Share this article on whatsapp

India is likely to expedite the construction of new hydropower plants on the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers that flow into Pakistan, within the legal confines of the decades-old Indus Water Treaty. This announcement comes at a point when relations between the two countries are at the lowest ever since the Narendra Modi government has come to power in India.

subscription-appeal-image

Support Independent Media

The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.

Contribute

According to a report, in meeting held yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told officials that India should use more water from the rivers that come under the treaty. This could be seen as part of a diplomatic offensive launched by the Indian government against its neighbour, after Modi virtually ruled out any military action on Sunday in a meeting. Earlier, on September 18, Indian soldiers were killed in a terror attack in the Uri sector in Jammu and Kashmir, following which ties between the two countries are strained to breaking point.

On Monday, speaking at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took Pakistan to task by blaming it for originating, sheltering, and breeding terror .

The water treaty goes back to 1960, when it was signed to resolve all water-related disputes between the two countries. It has been immune to three wars fought between the two countries, but observers have accused the Indian governments over the years of not exploiting the full potential of hydropower from the rivers that come under the agreement.

At present, India produces 3000 megawatts of power from the hydropower plants along the rivers, while the full capacity is said to be of 18000 megawatts

subscription-appeal-image

Power NL-TNM Election Fund

General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.

Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?

Support now

You may also like