Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignited a political firestorm during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary meeting on August 19, 2025, accusing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of admitting that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan brought no benefits to India. Modi alleged that Nehru’s decision to allocate 80% of the river waters to Pakistan was a “second partition” of the country, following the Radcliffe Line, and labeled the treaty as anti-farmer. According to sources, Modi cited Nehru’s own admission, through his secretary, that the 1960 agreement was a mistake that failed to serve India’s interests.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who attended the meeting, called Nehru’s signing of the treaty a “betrayal,” criticizing him for bypassing Parliament and cabinet approval. “This is a betrayal of our farmers,” Pal told ANI, emphasizing that such a significant agreement should have been debated in Parliament. Fellow BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad echoed the sentiment, condemning Nehru for not only signing the treaty without discussion but also providing Rs 80 crore to Pakistan, a move he deemed unjustifiable.
The IWT, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. Modi’s remarks come amid heightened tensions, with India rejecting a recent Hague-based Court of Arbitration award on the treaty, citing its lack of jurisdiction and legitimacy. Following the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025, which claimed 26 lives, India announced it would place the IWT in abeyance until Pakistan ceases support for cross-border terrorism, a stance reiterated by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Also Read: PM Modi Backs Radhakrishnan for Uncontested VP Win
Jaiswal, responding to ANI, stated, “India has never accepted the legality or competence of the so-called Court of Arbitration. Its pronouncements have no bearing on India’s rights to utilize the waters.” This firm position underscores India’s growing frustration with the treaty, which critics argue disproportionately favors Pakistan while limiting India’s access to vital water resources for agriculture and development.
In the same NDA meeting, Modi introduced CP Radhakrishnan as the alliance’s Vice Presidential candidate, praising him as a grassroots leader from the Other Backward Class (OBC) community. “He is simple in nature and does not play games in politics,” Modi said, highlighting Radhakrishnan’s commitment to public service. The Prime Minister’s remarks on both the treaty and the candidacy signal a broader narrative of addressing historical grievances while promoting inclusive leadership within the NDA.
The renewed scrutiny of the IWT has sparked debates about India’s water security and diplomatic relations with Pakistan. As the government pushes for a reassessment of the treaty, it faces the challenge of balancing national interests with international obligations, all while addressing domestic calls for justice for farmers and communities reliant on these critical water resources.
Also Read: Fadnavis Urges Maharashtra to Back VP Candidate