[Text/Observer Network Liu Chenghui] India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement on the 10th, providing some breathing room for regional situation. However, Western media learned from Indian and Pakistani sources that although the two countries have reached a ceasefire agreement, the key "Indus Waters Treaty" remains in a state of suspension and is actually "not part of the ceasefire negotiations."

American Cable News Network (CNN) cited a source from the Indian Foreign Ministry on the 11th as saying that a key water-sharing treaty between the two countries remains suspended.

"The ceasefire has no preconditions or postconditions. It was initiated by Pakistan. The Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended," the source said.

He said that the treaty manages the sharing of water resources in the massive Indus River system, with the Indus River being an important resource supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people in Pakistan and northern India.

On May 6th, livestock crossed the Chenab River flowing through Chiniot in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Visual China

Pakistani Defense Minister Asif told Pakistani media "Geo News" on the 11th that the Indus Waters Treaty, the disputed Kashmir issue, and the "terrorism" issue are all top issues discussed by Pakistan with India.

The British news agency Reuters also cited four government sources on the same day, saying that despite the ceasefire agreement reached between India and Pakistan after days of fierce fighting on Saturday, a key water-sharing agreement remains suspended.

A source from Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources said, "The Indus Waters Treaty is actually not part of (the ceasefire) negotiations."

An Indian government source also told Reuters that India's "position on this treaty has not changed."

The Indian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to this matter, and there has been no response from the Pakistani side either.

Two Indian government sources also said that although the violence between the two countries has stopped, all measures taken against Pakistan, including trade and visa measures, will continue to be implemented.

The Indian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to Reuters' request for comment.

The Indus Waters Treaty was concluded in 1960 under the leadership of the World Bank after nine years of negotiations, signed by India's first Prime Minister Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan. It includes regulations on the use of water resources in the Indus River and its tributaries. Pakistan is the main beneficiary of the treaty, receiving approximately 80% of the total water volume of these rivers.

The Indus Waters Treaty has survived multiple wars and conflicts without interruption and is considered the "last line of defense" in Sino-Indian relations. CNN described it as one of the "rare successful diplomatic cases" between the two countries.

On April 27th, the water level of the Jehlum River in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir region rose rapidly, causing panic among local residents. Anadolu Agency

A gun attack occurred near the Pahalgam town in the Indian-administered Kashmir region on April 22nd. The next day, the Indian government announced a series of measures to "downgrade" India-Pakistan relations, including suspending the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty until "Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abandons cross-border terrorism support."

Subsequently, the Pakistan Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Water Resources issued statements saying that India's suspension of the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty violates international consensus and is a premeditated "water war" against Pakistan.

On April 27th, the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir regional government accused India of opening floodgates upstream of the Jhelum River in Kashmir without prior notice, causing water levels to rise sharply downstream in several areas of Pakistan and even triggering floods, which were seen as a deliberate "terrorist act against the water supply system."

On May 6th, India successively closed all gates of the Baglihar and Salal hydropower dams located upstream of the Jinnah River, completely cutting off water supply to Pakistan in retaliation for the fatal attack in the Indian-administered Kashmir.

It wasn't until the afternoon of the 8th that the gates of the Baglihar Hydropower Station in India were reopened, and the three gates of the Salal Hydropower Dam also began to open.

On May 10th, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar announced that Pakistan and India had reached an immediate-effect ceasefire agreement. However, later that evening, explosions were heard in both the Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered Kashmir regions. Both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement but called for maintaining the results of the agreement.

Notably, over the past ten years, India has repeatedly threatened to cut off water to Pakistan.

In 2016, after armed militants from Pakistan attacked an Indian military base in Uri, Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Modi told relevant officials, "Blood and water cannot flow together."

In 2019, after a suicide bombing in Kashmir killed dozens of Indian security personnel, Indian government officials threatened to divert the eastern river flows so they would no longer flow into Pakistan.

In response to the tense situation between India and Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized at a regular press conference that India and Pakistan are neighbors who cannot be moved and are both neighboring countries of China. We oppose all forms of terrorism and urge both sides to prioritize peace and stability. We call for calm and restraint and avoid actions that further complicate the situation. We are willing to work with the international community to continue playing a constructive role in easing the current tensions.

This article is an exclusive contribution by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503144644629332514/

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