Webdesk: According to media reports, the Indian government is seeking a loan of Rs3,119 crore to speed up the construction of Kwar Dam, which is a significant water storage project on the Chenab River in Indian illegally occupied Kashmir (IIOJK). This move comes after India attempted to pause the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
It is claimed that this project will be a greenfield type of project that aims to target water flow to Pakistan. This means that the dam project will be started from scratch.
The Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVVPL), which is a joint venture of India’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) is executing the project.
According to CNN-News18 reports, the entire project which is under construction, costs Rs4,526 crore.
This attempt comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s clear message: any move to hinder its waters will be seen as a direct threat, and will be met with equal force.
Al-Jazeera has published a detailed report highlighting India’s incompetence and limited capabilities in controlling the flow of Western rivers that flow into Pakistan.
The report suggests that even with dam construction India faces significant challenges to hinder the flow of these rivers, which, if done, could also put its own population at risk.
Some suggest that this move is highly political. According to Naseer Memon, “This is a political trick of the Indian government, which instead of changing the flow of water, only wants to spread fear in Pakistan.” He is an environmental and water expert from Islamabad.
This is not all, international voices like Majid Akhtar, a senior Geography lecturer at King’s College London, called India’s ‘suspension’ of the waters treaty as “just an attempt to inflict symbolic damage on Pakistan.”
Ajay Banga, the World Bank President also came forward, stating that the IWT can not be suspended unilaterally. He reiterated that the treaty can only be suspended or altered if both countries agree mutually.
According to Adv Raja Khalid, the World Bank is the guarantor of the IWT, and India cannot unilaterally withdraw from it. If any country wants to exit the treaty, they must first submit a request to the World Bank.
The World Bank is the guarantor of the Indus Waters Treaty, and India cannot unilaterally withdraw from it. If any country wants to exit the treaty, they must first submit a request to the World Bank.
— Azaad English (@azaad_english) April 26, 2025
Adv. Raja Khalid pic.twitter.com/Ujtz6qm9Uq
Pakistan’s stance remains firm, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is legally impossible and will not be accepted. India can not alter or suspend the treaty alone, for any kind of change to be made mutual consent is required.
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