India on Friday reiterated that there has been no change in its position on the Indus Waters Treaty, while strongly rejecting Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s warning over water sharing. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also hit out at references to Kashmir in a joint statement issued after a meeting between the foreign ministers of Norway and Pakistan, saying that the international community should instead be concerned about alleged atrocities and cross-border terrorism in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was “no change in the way we think” on the Indus Waters Treaty, reaffirming India’s position amid Sharif’s latest remarks that Pakistan’s water supply was a “red line”.
The Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office had accused India of “unilaterally and illegally” placing the treaty in abeyance and warned that Islamabad would give a “direct response” if New Delhi did not reverse its decision.
India placed the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. New Delhi has maintained that the resumption of the treaty framework is linked to Pakistan taking credible and effective action against cross-border terrorism.
The treaty, signed in September 1960, governs the sharing of the waters of the Indus river system between India and Pakistan.
India rejects Kashmir reference, highlights PoK
Responding to questions about Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide’s meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Jaiswal reiterated India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“The whole of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India,” he said.
The MEA spokesperson said the issues that should concern the international community were “the atrocities currently being perpetrated in the illegal Pakistan-occupied Kashmir” and the use of the territory for cross-border terrorism.
The remarks came amid protests and clashes in PoK, where demonstrations over electricity prices and essential commodities have reportedly expanded into demands for political reforms, greater accountability and democratic representation.
India, Russia discussing Northern Sea Route cooperation
On India-Russia cooperation, the MEA said discussions were underway on developing connectivity through the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the Arctic maritime corridor along Russia’s northern coastline.
Jaiswal said connectivity was an important component of India’s “multi-faceted cooperation” with Russia and confirmed that the two countries were holding discussions on the issue.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had recently identified India and China among countries showing interest in cooperating with Moscow on the NSR.
The route, which can provide a shorter maritime link between Europe and Asia than the traditional Suez Canal route, has gained strategic importance as Russia develops Arctic ports, navigation infrastructure and icebreaker capabilities. For India, cooperation on the route could complement existing connectivity initiatives, including the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor.
MEA stresses strong India-Italy ties
The MEA also called for diplomatic restraint after Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, made remarks about India-Italy ties.
Jaiswal stressed that India has “strong ties with Italy”, adding that bilateral relations have expanded and strengthened in recent years.
“It is important that as part of diplomatic practice that we strengthen our ties, keeping in mind and being respectful to each other and there’s mutual understanding between the two sides,” he said.
India to examine Bangladesh’s request for more diesel
The MEA also said India’s existing arrangement to supply diesel to Bangladesh would continue, while Dhaka’s request for additional supplies would be examined in view of India’s own requirements and domestic availability.
Jaiswal said the request would be considered keeping in mind India’s refining capacity, domestic requirements and the availability of diesel.
Bangladesh has sought additional diesel supplies from India amid energy shortages. The two countries already have an arrangement under which diesel is supplied through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
The MEA said cross-border power and energy connectivity remains an important component of the India-Bangladesh economic partnership, with both sides committed to cooperation based on mutual interest and benefit.
(With agency inputs)
