Indus pact in abeyance with immediate effect, unfazed India tells Pak

NEW DELHI: Hours after Pakistan said any attempt to divert water meant for it under the Indus Waters Treaty will be an "act of war", an unfazed India on Thursday formally communicated to its hostile neighbour that the 1960 treaty will be held in abeyance with immediate effect.

"The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir ," Jalshakti ministry secretary Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter marked to her Pakistan counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza.

Mukherjee said the resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilization of its rights under the treaty. "Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the treaty, and thus, it's a breach... Govt of India has hereby decided the Indus Waters Treaty, will be held in abeyance with immediate effect," the official wrote.