Connect with us

News

Water war brews: India halts Indus flow to Pakistan

Published

on

India says it will ‘never’ restore Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan

India’s federal Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that New Delhi will never reinstate the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with neighbouring Pakistan.

Speaking to The Times of India on Saturday, June 21, 2025, Shah said that after 26 people were killed in Indian‑administered Kashmir in April – a strike India attributes to Pakistan, New Delhi had already placed its participation in the treaty “in abeyance.”

Now, India intends to reroute the water originally destined for Pakistan into its own territory.

Shah’s bold announcement signals a major re‑alignment of India’s water diplomacy.

He confirmed plans to construct a canal to divert river flows to Rajasthan, India’s northwestern desert state.

“Pakistan will be starved of water that it has been getting unjustifiably,” Shah asserted, equating the previously guaranteed flows to Pakistan as undeserved.

What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?

Negotiated in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty has governed shared usage of six rivers in the Indus basin, the heartbeat of commerce, agriculture, and electric power for both nations.

Under the agreement:

India controls the eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.

Pakistan holds rights to the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

The treaty allocates about 80 percent of the basin’s flow to Pakistan, which heavily relies on these waters for irrigation, hydropower, and livelihoods.

From Kashmir Tensions to Water Weaponization

Tensions flared in late April after a militant attack in Kashmir killed 26 civilians, an operation India attributes to Pakistan-backed terrorism.

Although Islamabad denied involvement, the incident led to intense military exchanges and the suspension of key bilateral accords, including the Indus Waters Treaty.

READ ALSO:  India Classroom Collapse: Grieving Families Mourn Lost Children

Analysts note this shift marks a dramatic escalation: water, long seen as a shared resource, is increasingly weaponized in diplomatic conflict.

Pakistan’s Outcry and Legal Warning

Pakistan’s leadership has uniformly condemned India’s tactic, warning that halting or diverting water would be treated as an act of war.

Foreign Office officials and senators warned the unilateral suspension is illegal under both the treaty and international law.

Former water officials in Islamabad note that the treaty makes no provision for a party to unilaterally suspend or “hold in abeyance” the agreement.

The rights of a lower-riparian nation cannot be overridden, said Pakistan’s federal water minister.

Islamabad is reportedly preparing to challenge the move in international legal forums, citing World Bank arbitration and customary international water law.

Strategic, environmental, and human costs

Pakistan’s dams, already at dangerously low levels, saw immediate decline after India’s treaty suspension.

This jeopardizes its kharif crops, hydropower generation, and farming communities.

Economists warn that a prolonged flow reduction could devastate rural economies in Pakistan and prompt serious socio-political unrest.

Analysts further caution that India’s escalatory stance may invite similarly aggressive responses from other riparian countries, threatening regional cooperation.

Calls for revision, not abolition

Some in India argue the treaty is outdated and unfair, granting Pakistan a disproportionate 79% share despite India’s larger population and upstream position. They advocate for renegotiation, not outright revocation.

Indian political strategist Anuttama Banerji told Al Jazeera that the treaty could be “revised, reviewed and modified” to account for modern challenges like climate change and groundwater stress.

Historic troubled waters

The Indus Waters Treaty has remarkably survived previous wars and border tensions.

READ ALSO:  Drenched in Grief: Monsoon Rains Kill Dozens in Pakistan

It has been a cornerstone of Indo-Pakistani stability for over six decades.

Pakistan’s Senate criticized India’s move as “water terrorism” and suspended the Simla Agreement of 1972, raising fears of a deep spiral into military confrontation.

Looking ahead

India is pushing ahead with planned canal construction and dam adjustments to reroute vital water flows.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is mobilizing domestically and preparing for blockade or legal redress.

International observers warn of a serious threat to global water conflict norms and call for urgent mediation to avoid humanitarian disaster.

With both nations nuclear-armed and tensions already high, the Indus issue may prove to be the next flashpoint between the two rivals.

This is more than geopolitics.

It is a test of international water law and regional stability.

For millions depending on these rivers, water is life—and a potential weapon. The world watches as two powers navigate this critical crisis.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

Published

on

IGP withdraws all policemen attached to Kogi ex-gov, Yahaya Bello

A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.

The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.

Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.

INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.

During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.

He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.

Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”

Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.

He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”

He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.

The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.

READ ALSO:  Kuje prison escapee rearrested in Minna after hiding in mosque for two weeks

He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.

Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”

Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.

The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.

He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.

Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.

Watch the video below.

Continue Reading

Africa

Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

Published

on

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.

“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.

Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.

He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.

The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.

He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.

Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”

General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.

He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”

Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.

He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.

READ ALSO:  Terror Strikes Iran: Courthouse Assault Leaves Civilians Dead

They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.

General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.

He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”

He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.

Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.

He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”

The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.

General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.

Continue Reading

Health

Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

Published

on

Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.

The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.

DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.

According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.

A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.

Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.

Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.

The health centre has since been found abandoned.

DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.

She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.

READ ALSO:  India Classroom Collapse: Grieving Families Mourn Lost Children

This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.

Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.

As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.

Continue Reading

News

Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

Published

on

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.

In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”

Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.

If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.

Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.

Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.

The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.

Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.

Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.

READ ALSO:  Tragedy: Roof collapse crushes couple to death in India

“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.

The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.

“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.

Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.

“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.

The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.

Continue Reading

News

2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

Published

on

Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.

“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.

Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.

“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.

“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.

I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.

The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.

Continue Reading

Latest from DDM TV

Latest Updates

VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

Tinubu Secures Fresh $238m Loan from Japan

‘Gate of Hell’ Will Open on Gaza’– Israeli Defence Issues Finally Warning to Hamas

NAFDAC Raises Alarm as Fake Cowbell Milk Floods Nigerian Markets

‘Misplaced Priority’: Peter Obi Blasts FG’s ₦142bn Bus Terminal Project

Why I’ll never encourage my son to visit Nigeria — Taribo West

Subscribe to DDM Newsletter for Latest News

Trending

Copyright © 2023 -2024 Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) www.diasporadigitalmedia.com. All Rights Reserved . NOTE: All opinion articles published on Diaspora Digital Media are ENTIRELY those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publishers.

Get Notifications from DDM News Yes please No thanks