Minister Mandaviya challenges Zardari’s Indus Waters Treaty allegations, terms Kashmir remarks abuse of global platform; highlights India’s poverty alleviation success
India delivered a sharp diplomatic riposte to Pakistan at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha on November 5, with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya categorically rejecting President Asif Ali Zardari’s allegations regarding the Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir.
Mandaviya characterized Zardari’s November 4 speech as “an abuse of an international forum to distract the world from focusing on social development by peddling disinformation against India”. The minister asserted that Pakistan has “undermined the spirit” of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty through sustained hostility and cross-border terrorism, while repeatedly misusing treaty mechanisms to obstruct India’s legitimate projects.
On Kashmir, Mandaviya emphasized that Pakistan has “no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs,” particularly given its involvement in cross-border terrorism against Indian citizens. He pointedly advised Pakistan to “introspect and address its own serious challenges related to development which has made it dependent on handouts by international community”.
The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, allocates eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. India has suspended certain provisions following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based groups.
Contrasting narratives, Mandaviya highlighted India’s development trajectory, noting that approximately 250 million Indians have been lifted from multidimensional poverty over the past decade through reforms and digital innovation. Current welfare achievements include nutritious mid-day meals for 118 million schoolchildren, food security for over 800 million citizens, health coverage for 425 million Indians, and 37 million houses provided to low-income families.
India reaffirmed its commitment to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals under Prime Minister Modi’s philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together we all, Development for all).
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