Indus Waters Treaty: Congress's Manish Tewari backs Modi's 'blood and water' stand
Synopsis
In a rare moment of bipartisan convergence, Congress leader Manish Tewari publicly backed PM Modi's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, citing two parliamentary resolutions and all-party delegations that have already established cross-party consensus. With the MEA doubling down on Friday, India's water diplomacy with Pakistan has effectively become a non-partisan issue — making any future rollback politically costly for any government.
Key Takeaways
Congress leader Manish Tewari on 3 July endorsed PM Narendra Modi 's stance on suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) .
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed that the IWT 'stands in abeyance' until Pakistan stops sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Tewari cited two parliamentary resolutions — passed in 1994 and 2013 — as evidence of longstanding national consensus on the issue.
The IWT was placed in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent action against Pakistan in May last year .
Tewari also backed a Supreme Court -monitored probe into alleged fund embezzlement at Ayodhya's Ram Temple .
On the UCC , Tewari called its implementation in BJP states a 'delusion', noting that Scheduled Tribes and minorities are excluded from its scope.
Congress leader Manish Tewari on Friday, 3 July publicly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), declaring that 'blood and water cannot flow together' — echoing the government's stance that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan stops backing cross-border terrorism. The rare cross-party alignment came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed India's position on the long-standing water-sharing accord.
MEA Reaffirms India's Position
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Friday that India's stance on the treaty is unambiguous. 'India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty is consistent. IWT stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Pakistan must credibly and irrevocably abjure its support for cross-border terrorism,' he said.
The IWT, originally signed in 1960, governs the sharing of waters from six rivers between India and Pakistan. India placed the treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack last year, marking one of the most significant diplomatic ruptures over the accord since its signing.
Tewari Cites Parliamentary Consensus
Speaking to reporters, Tewari underscored that India's firmness on the issue enjoys broad parliamentary backing. 'From 1993 till today, two parliamentary resolutions have been passed — in 1994 and in 2013. Following India's action against Pakistan in May last year, resulting from the Pahalgam terror attack, all-party delegations went to various countries, stating that Pakistan sponsors terrorism and that terrorism and dialogue cannot go together,' he said.
'Blood and water cannot flow together. So, there is a common consent regarding it in the country, which should be maintained by the government,' Tewari asserted. Notably, such bipartisan endorsement of the government's foreign policy posture is uncommon from a Congress leader, and signals that the IWT suspension has achieved rare cross-party legitimacy.
Congress Demands SC-Monitored Probe Into Ram Temple Funds
Separately, Tewari backed Congress MP KC Venugopal's letter to Prime Minister Modi seeking a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged embezzlement of funds at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. 'The reality is that the alleged embezzlement did take place there, and it should be investigated impartially because it is a matter connected to people's faith,' Tewari said. He stressed that the sanctity of Ram Lalla's birthplace must be preserved while ensuring accountability.
Tewari Challenges UCC Implementation in BJP States
On the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) being implemented in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed states, Tewari drew a distinction between the UCC and a Common Civil Code. He pointed out that the Union government had itself acknowledged that minorities and Scheduled Tribes would be kept outside the code's ambit. 'When a large section of society, like the Scheduled Tribes and ethnic minorities, who have their own customary laws...when they will be kept out, then how is it called the Uniform Civil Code. It is a delusion,' he remarked.
What Comes Next
Pakistan has not formally responded to Friday's MEA statement. The IWT's abeyance continues to be a focal point in India-Pakistan diplomatic tensions, with no timeline indicated for resumption of treaty talks. The Congress's alignment with the government on the IWT signals that any future bilateral engagement on water-sharing is unlikely to find domestic opposition in India.
Point of View
Leaving little room for dissent. The more pointed question is whether the IWT's abeyance is a negotiating lever or a permanent rupture — and on that, neither the government nor Tewari offered clarity. The Ram Temple probe demand, tucked into the same press interaction, signals Congress is threading a careful needle: nationalist on Pakistan, accountability-focused on BJP governance.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan?
The Indus Waters Treaty currently stands in abeyance, as confirmed by the MEA on 3 July. India suspended the treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack last year, citing Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism as the reason.
Why did Congress leader Manish Tewari support PM Modi's position on the Indus Waters Treaty?
Tewari cited a longstanding national consensus, pointing to parliamentary resolutions passed in 1994 and 2013, and all-party delegations sent abroad after the Pahalgam attack. He stated that 'blood and water cannot flow together' as long as Pakistan backs terrorism.
What did the MEA say about the Indus Waters Treaty on 3 July?
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India's position is consistent — the IWT remains in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably stops supporting cross-border terrorism. He made these remarks while responding to reporters on Friday.
What is Congress's demand regarding the Ram Temple funds controversy?
Congress leader Manish Tewari backed party MP KC Venugopal's letter to PM Modi seeking a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds at Ayodhya's Ram Temple, calling for an impartial investigation given the matter's connection to public faith.
What did Manish Tewari say about the Uniform Civil Code in BJP-ruled states?
Tewari argued that the UCC being implemented in BJP states cannot genuinely be called 'uniform' since the Union government itself had stated that Scheduled Tribes and minorities would be excluded. He called the exercise 'a delusion'.
