'How will he, when there will be no water...': Hardeep Puri on Bilawal Bhutto's provocative remark on Indus treaty

Hardeep Singh Puri

Reacting to Pakistani politician Bilawal  Bhutto-Zardari'x provocative remark on Indus treaty, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri that Islamabad will soon realise the ramification of suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Puri’s response came after Bhutto-Zardari made a provocative speech at a rally in Sukkur, Sindh province. Speaking to his supporters, the PPP leader declared, “The Indus is ours and will remain ours – either our water will flow through it, or their blood.”

"I heard his statement... Tell him to jump somewhere in water... Well, how will he, when there will be no water... Do not dignify such statements... They will get to understand that...," remarked Puri addressing ANI reporters.

Commenting further on the Pahalgam terror strike, Puri said, "The Pahalgam incident is unequivocally a cross-border terrorist attack unleashed by a neighbouring state and they are taking its responsibility... Unlike before, no business will continue. Like PM Modi said, Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price and this is just the beginning... The terrorists take away the most fundamental right to life. This is being condemned by the entire world. Pakistan is not just a rogue state, it is a country in terminal decline..."

Puri also commented on the recent throat-slitting gesture made by Colonel Taimur Rahat, a senior officer at Pakistan’s High Commission in London. Many saw it as a sign of support for violence. Puri didn’t hold back, labeling it as “state-sponsored terrorism.” “We have reached a point where they will have to pay a price. If they (Pakistan) think that they can survive the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, I wish them best of luck,” he said, making it clear India wasn’t backing down.

Things between New Delhi and Islamabad escalated after the Pahalgam attack. India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, and intelligence sources linked the attackers to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group.

In retaliation for India suspending the IWT, Pakistan took a number of actions. Islamabad decided to suspend the Simla Agreement, a key 1972 deal between India and Pakistan aimed at easing tensions after the 1971 war. Pakistan also halted all trade with India, shut down its airspace for Indian flights, and warned that if India diverted water from the Indus River, it would be seen as an “act of war.”