India writes to Pakistan about Indus Waters Treaty decision, highlights 'sustained cross border terrorism'

India has decided to halt the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan as it took action against the neighbouring country after terror attack inPahalgam thatkilled at least 27 people and injured many. Notifying Pakistan about the decision, India has highlighted Pakistan's "sustained cross-border terrorism targetting Jammu and Kashmir.".The information to Islamabad came in form of a formal letter from India's Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza.

"The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the letter read.

"The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilization of its rights under the Treaty. Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect," it added.

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India and Pakistan, in 1960, made a formal agreement, called the Indus Waters Treaty, to decide how water will be shared between the both countries from the Indus river. The need for a treaty for water sharing arose after Independence whencontrol over the river became a point of potential conflict between the two nations. India briefly stopped water flow to Pakistan in 1948. Later, Pakistan complained to the United Nations (UN) that India wasn't letting enough water through. The UN suggested getting help, which led to the World Bank stepping in to mediate. After almost nine years of negotiation, India's then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's then President Ayub Khan finally signed the agreement in 1960. The treaty splits the six main rivers of the Indus system between India and Pakistan: Ravi,Beas,Sutlej to India and Indus, Chenab, Jhelum to Pakistan. Read More | What is Attari-Wagah flag-lowering ceremony? Story of India-Pakistan border event

Pahalgam terror attack:Pakistan's response and India's action