In a significant escalation of tensions, India has cut off the flow of water to Pakistan from the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River and is preparing to reduce the outflow from the Kishanganga hydropower project on the Jhelum River. The move marks a firm stance on India’s earlier declaration that not “a single drop” of water from the Indus rivers will be allowed to flow into Pakistan.
These actions came just hours after Pakistan conducted a test of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile last week. India also announced a ban on docking of ships bearing the Pakistani flag at all Indian ports, further tightening diplomatic and economic measures.
The Kishanganga dam, located in the Gurez valley of the northwestern Himalayas and the first major hydropower plant in the region, is also scheduled for extensive maintenance work. During this period, all downstream water flow from the project will be suspended. Pakistan has long objected to the design and operation of both the Baglihar and Kishanganga dams.
India’s decision comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where dozens of tourists were killed. The government responded by pausing the over 60-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, which has governed the sharing of the Indus river system between the two nations since 1960, further straining already fragile bilateral relations.
