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India closed the gates of the Salal Dam on the Chenab River in J&K’s Reasi to restrict water flow to Pakistan after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
India closed the gates of the Salal Dam in J&K as part of its offensive to punish Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack. (ANI)
After the Baglihar dam, India has now closed the gates of the Salal Dam on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district to restrict water flow to Pakistan, following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The water levels of the Chenab River saw a significant drop after all gates of the Salal Dam were closed. On Sunday, India cut water flow through the Baglihar dam on the Chenab, leading to Pakistan and was planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River.
Reacting to the Salal Dam, Amit Malviya hailed the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It takes political will to make tough decisions in India’s interest, and Prime Minister Modi has demonstrated that through his actions,” he said.
“This is the muscular Modi Doctrine, firm and unwavering in its fight against terrorism. Water and the blood of our citizens cannot flow together. Let that be clear,” Malviya added.
It takes political will to make tough decisions in India’s interest, and Prime Minister Modi has demonstrated that through his actions. This is the muscular Modi Doctrine, firm and unwavering in its fight against terrorism. Water and the blood of our citizens cannot flow… https://t.co/mIuvratmqx– Amit Malviya (@Amitmalviya) May 5, 2025
Notably, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan and ensures water supply to 80% of Pakistani farms, after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
A senior official told The Indian Express that the gates of the sluice spillways on the Baglihar dam had been lowered to restrict water flow to Pakistan’s Punjab province as a “short-term punitive action”. The step, even though for a short while, is aimed at showing Pakistan that India is ready to take coercive actions to punish them on all fronts.
ALSO READ: Terror Hideout Busted In J&K’s Poonch Days After Pahalgam Attack, 5 IEDs Recovered
After the Pahalgam attack, India is taking sweeping steps in its water diplomacy to corner Pakistan. A major meeting is likely to be held this week with Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Water Resources Minister CR Paatil, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and senior officials from all related ministries.
India has also moved to halt all engagement in the IWT dispute resolution process, particularly regarding the contentious Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. India is preparing to officially ask the World Bank-appointed neutral expert, Michel Lino, to pause the ongoing adjudication proceedings related to the Kishanga-ratle hydro project dispute, according to a report by The Economic Times.
Meanwhile, India has begun work to boost reservoir holding capacity at two hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. A “reservoir flushing” process to remove sediment began on Thursday, carried out by India’s biggest hydropower company, state-run NHPC Ltd, and authorities in the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, these sources informed.
This work may not immediately threaten water supply to Pakistan, but it could eventually be affected if other Indian projects launch similar efforts. Pakistan already depends on rivers flowing through India for much of its irrigation and hydropower generation and there are over half a dozen such projects in J&K.
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