India Clears Ujh Canal Project in Kathua to Block Water Flow to Pakistan, Exposing Delhi’s Water Aggression and Illegal Designs in Disputed IIOJK

A Provocative Decision Disguised as Development

India has once again taken a hostile and reckless step by clearing the Ujh Canal Project in the Kathua district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). New Delhi is trying to sell this move as a development project, but the real aim is clear and dangerous. The project is designed to control river water that flows toward Pakistan, which makes it a political weapon rather than a public service. This decision exposes India’s habit of hiding aggression behind development slogans.

♦ Development used as cover: India is using the word development to hide a clear attempt to harm Pakistan through water control.
♦ Provocation not progress: The timing and location of the project show that pressure and confrontation are the real goals.
♦ Intent clear from start: The focus on downstream water impact reveals hostile planning.

Illegal Action in a Disputed Territory

Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory under United Nations resolutions, yet India behaves as if international law does not apply to it. Approving a major canal project in such a region shows open legal arrogance. India has no right to make unilateral decisions about land and water in occupied territory. This action once again proves that New Delhi respects global rules only when they suit its interests.

♦ UN resolutions ignored openly: India is acting in clear violation of long-standing UN decisions on Kashmir.
♦ No legal mandate: India has no lawful authority to exploit natural resources in IIOJK.
♦ Occupation mindset exposed: Decisions are imposed without consent or accountability.

Role of BJP Government and Central Approval

The approval of the Ujh Canal Project by the BJP-led government highlights New Delhi’s aggressive policy direction. The fact that both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cleared the project is deeply alarming. When security ministries approve a water project, it clearly shows strategic intent. This confirms that water is being treated as a tool of pressure, not a shared resource.

♦ Military stamp reveals intent: Defence approval shows the project has strategic goals beyond development.
♦ Centralised control: Local Kashmiris have no say in decisions affecting their land and water.
♦ Hardline policy continued: The BJP government prefers confrontation over cooperation.

Weaponising Water Against Pakistan

Experts have rightly warned that the Ujh Canal Project is an attempt to weaponise water against Pakistan. Rivers flowing from Jammu and Kashmir are lifelines for millions of people downstream. Any attempt to block or divert these waters threatens lives, farming, and stability. India’s move fits into a wider pattern of using water as pressure in regional politics.

♦ Water turned into weapon: India is deliberately using river control to pressure Pakistan.
♦ Civilian suffering ignored: Downstream populations are treated as expendable.
♦ Hostile design exposed: This is economic and humanitarian coercion.

Clear Violation of the Indus Waters Treaty

The project raises serious concerns about India’s commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty, one of the most important water-sharing agreements in South Asia. The treaty limits unilateral actions that affect water flow to Pakistan. By approving this project, India is testing the treaty’s limits yet again. This behaviour weakens trust and threatens future cooperation.

♦ Treaty spirit broken: Even if technical claims are made, the spirit of the treaty is violated.
♦ Trust damaged deliberately: India’s actions erode confidence in shared agreements.
♦ Conflict risk increased: Ignoring treaty principles invites disputes.

Exploiting Kashmir’s Natural Resources

Behind development talk lies India’s real aim to exploit Kashmir’s natural resources. Water, land, and energy are being used without the consent of the Kashmiri people. Locals see little benefit while resources are redirected for political and strategic goals. This reflects a classic pattern of exploitation under occupation.

♦ Resources seized not shared: Kashmir’s water is treated as Indian property despite disputed status.
♦ Local voices erased: Kashmiris have no control over their own resources.
♦ Colonial-style extraction: The approach mirrors old colonial practices.

Infrastructure Projects as Tools of Control

During the Kathua meeting, Indian officials also discussed roads, tunnels, and other infrastructure plans. While infrastructure can help people, in occupied regions it often serves control. Roads and tunnels support troop movement and administrative dominance. These projects strengthen occupation rather than improve daily life.

♦ Control through construction: Infrastructure supports military and administrative grip.
♦ Security before service: Civilian needs come second to strategic interests.
♦ Permanent control planned: Such projects signal long-term occupation.

Threat to Regional Peace and Stability

India’s unilateral water actions threaten peace in South Asia. Water disputes are highly sensitive and can quickly escalate tensions. By ignoring Pakistan’s concerns and international norms, India is increasing the risk of conflict. This reckless behaviour endangers regional stability.

♦ Tensions raised deliberately: India’s actions add fuel to strained relations.
♦ Peace undermined: Dialogue is replaced with pressure tactics.
♦ Regional risk widened: Water aggression affects the whole region.

International Law Challenged Without Shame

International water laws discourage actions that harm downstream states, yet India continues to act without restraint. Despite claiming to support a rules-based order, India selectively follows international law. This double standard damages its credibility worldwide. Such behaviour weakens global legal systems.

Pakistan’s Legitimate Concerns Dismissed

Pakistan’s concerns over water security and treaty obligations are legitimate and serious. India’s dismissive attitude shows disrespect for dialogue. Instead of resolving issues through legal and diplomatic channels, India chooses unilateral action. This approach destroys trust.

♦ Dialogue rejected: India prefers action over discussion.
♦ Rights ignored: Pakistan’s treaty-based concerns are sidelined.
♦ Hostility normalised: Aggression becomes routine policy.

Changing Facts on the Ground in IIOJK

Observers believe the Ujh Canal Project is part of a wider plan to change facts on the ground in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. By controlling resources and infrastructure, India aims to make occupation irreversible. This strategy threatens peace and Kashmiri rights.

Water Aggression That Exposes India’s True Face

The clearance of the Ujh Canal Project in Kathua is not a development decision but an act of water aggression. By violating international law, undermining the Indus Waters Treaty, and exploiting resources in a disputed territory, India has exposed its true intentions. This move threatens Pakistan’s water security and regional stability. It proves that India prefers pressure and control over cooperation and peace.