PM Modi’s Campaign Speech In Haryana Rattles Pakistan, Says Any Water Diversion By India Will be An ‘Act Of Aggression’

Pakistan foreign office said on Thursday (17 October) that it has “exclusive rights” over three Western rivers and if India attempts divert flow of these rivers, it would be considered an “act of aggression”, reports The Hindu.

During the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said “Any attempt by India to divert the flows of these rivers will be considered an act of aggression and Pakistan has the right to respond,” he said, without naming the rivers.

This was in response to a question regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks he gave in election rally in Haryana on 15 October.

In that speech Modi said "For 70 years, the water which belongs to India and the farmers of Haryana flowed to Pakistan. Modi will stop this water (from flowing into Pakistan) and bring to your houses."

Mr. Faisal said that Pakistan had “exclusive rights” and cited Indus Water Treaty which India and Pakistan signed back in 1960 and was brokered by World Bank.