The North News
Chandigarh, July 11
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday expressed support for the Centre government’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, suggesting it would enable Punjab to harness more water from the western rivers — including the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ujh, and other tributaries in Jammu & Kashmir. Addressing the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, however Mann warned the Centre against reversing the suspension under foreign influence. “I hope the central government does not come under pressure from US President Donald Trump and revoke the suspension,” he said.
Mann’s comments came a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp public rebuke for his earlier remarks mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic outreach to the Global South. While not naming Mann directly, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the remarks made by a “high state authority,” calling them “irresponsible and regrettable.”
Jaiswal added that such comments “do not behove the state authority” and that the central government “disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries.”
The controversy stems from Mann’s remarks, in which he mispronounced the names of countries visited by the Prime Minister, reportedly referring to them as “Magnesia”, “Galveaisa”, and “Tarvesia,” drawing criticism for appearing to trivialise India’s foreign policy efforts in the Global South.
Mann further asserted that the suspension could secure an additional 23 million acre-feet (MAF) of water for Punjab—vital for its agriculture and long-exploited natural resources. He urged priority allocation of western river waters to Punjab and proposed building new storage dams upstream of Bhakra and Pong in Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister also demanded restructuring of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), calling it a “white elephant” acting against Punjab’s interests. Despite holding a 60% share in BBMB, Mann said, the board had even used Punjab’s funds to file cases against the state. He warned that such practices would no longer be tolerated, vowing to protect Punjab’s rights over its resources.
Mann stressed that if the suspension continues, Punjab could potentially benefit from up to 23 million acre-feet (MAF) of additional water — a vital lifeline for a state battling groundwater depletion and agricultural stress. “We will provide water only if we get additional water,” the Chief Minister asserted, reiterating that Punjab has no surplus water to share with other states.
The Chief Minister demanded that Punjab be given priority access to the waters of the western rivers and proposed the construction of new storage dams upstream of Bhakra and Pong in Himachal Pradesh. According to Mann, these new dams would improve water regulation and storage, ultimately helping Punjab, which has historically sacrificed its resources to support India’s food security.
Referring to Punjab’s long-standing grievances, Mann noted that no proper review of water allocations has taken place since 1955, though it should have occurred every 25 years. “Water is an emotional and existential issue for Punjab and its farmers,” he told the Assembly.
Mann concluded by asserting that Punjab will not tolerate any attempt to jeopardize its water security, especially when the state has already sacrificed fertile land and groundwater reserves for national food production.
