Congress Criticizes Jaishankar’s Remarks on Nehru, Indus Waters Treaty

Quick Summary

• Congress criticized External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for labeling the Indus Waters Treaty as “appeasement” by former Prime Minister jawaharlal Nehru.
• Mr.Jaishankar, in Rajya Sabha discussions on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack, stated that Narendra Modi’s government has “corrected Nehru’s wrongs” by suspending the treaty.
• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called Mr. Jaishankar’s comments “shocking” and accused him of abandoning professionalism.
• Ramesh highlighted India’s successful irrigation projects such as Bhakra Nangal dam, Rajasthan Canal, and ravi-Beas link made possible by exclusive control over three eastern rivers.
• Several hydropower infrastructure achievements on western rivers (Chenab and Jhelum) were noted by Congress, including Baglihar, Salal, Dul Hasti projects initiated under previous governments.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This controversy highlights diverging political interpretations of India’s historical policies regarding water-sharing agreements with Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960). While Mr. Jaishankar links historical decisions to perceived appeasement during Nehru’s tenure, critics view this viewpoint as oversimplified-a disregard for strategic benefits like agricultural conversion spurred by control over key rivers. Water allocations from the treaty impacted infrastructure vital to India’s Green revolution.

The debate underscores broader questions about reevaluating legacy agreements in light of current geopolitical realities without diminishing India’s earlier successes in harnessing shared river systems for growth objectives. Maintaining neutrality is critical since water diplomacy affects regional stability alongside economic interests.

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