'Centre will respond to Pak war-mongering': Omar backs suspension of Indus Water Treaty

SRINAGAR: The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was never in the interest of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, chief minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said, backing the suspension of the treaty by India.“We opposed the Indus Water Treaty from day one. We stated that if there was any biggest betrayal of India and Pakistan with Jammu & Kashmir, it was the Indus Water Treaty. Due to IWT, we have no control over our rivers,” Omar said while talking to reporters here.Asked about the increasing tension between India and Pakistan on the issue, he said there was no escalation from the Indian side over IWT. “India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty. War threats are being given from there (Pakistan). Now, I will not answer that from here. The central govt will respond to that,” the CM said.India had placed the water sharing pact with Pakistan, signed in 1960, in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack last year. According to the treaty, India got full rights for utilisation of waters of the three eastern rivers --- Ravi, Beas and Satluj --- while Pakistan got rights over the three western rivers --- Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.Governing National Conference has always been opposed to the treaty, withOmar blaming IWT for the power crisis in J&K.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.