"Blood and water cannot flow together": Former diplomat Veena Sikri blisters Pakistan PM's UNGA speech
Former diplomat Veena Sikri hits back at Pakistan's UNGA speech, stating blood and water cannot flow together regarding the Indus Waters Treaty.
In a powerful rebuttal to Pakistan's recent diplomatic maneuvers, former diplomat Veena Sikri has delivered a scathing critique of Islamabad's performance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Addressing the attempts by the Pakistani leadership to raise the Kashmir issue and the Indus Waters Treaty, Sikri dismissed the claims as laughable and unacceptable, asserting that India will not tolerate state-sponsored terrorism alongside resource sharing.
Indus Waters Treaty in Abeyance
Sikri highlighted a significant shift in India's stance regarding water agreements following recent security breaches. She stated that following the Pahalgam attacks, India has categorically decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. According to the former diplomat, there is no longer a requirement for India to report or observe specific clauses of the treaty under the current circumstances.
"India is following its own projects for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and other states," Sikri remarked, emphasizing that India's priority remains the welfare of its own citizens and the development of its territories.
Exposing Hypocrisy in PoJK
The former diplomat also took aim at Pakistan's treatment of the residents in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). She accused Islamabad of economic exploitation and systemic discrimination, treating those in the illegally occupied territory as second-class citizens. Sikri noted the irony of Pakistan criticizing the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which she reaffirmed is an inalienable part of India.
A Resolute Stance Against Terrorism
A central theme of Sikri's critique was the inextricable link between terrorism and diplomacy. She issued a stern warning that India's patience regarding cross-border terror has reached its limit.
"We have made it very clear that blood and water cannot flow together. And after the Pahalgam attacks last year, India categorically decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. And it will remain so until there is verifiable evidence that Pakistan is no longer supporting terrorism,"
Sikri further noted that for any diplomatic normalcy to return, Pakistan must provide proof that it is no longer a state sponsor of terrorism and that all terrorist groups operating on its soil are completely dismantled and disabled. She referenced Operation Sindoor, conducted last year, which targeted terrorist headquarters to demonstrate India's capability and intent.
India's Stinging Rebuttal at the UNGA
The diplomatic friction was not limited to Sikri's comments. During the UNGA session, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot exercised India's right of reply to counter the remarks made by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Gahlot described Sharif's address as “bizarre,” particularly his attempts to frame the Kashmir issue and his claims regarding international mediation.
In a sharp exchange, the Indian delegation brought the Assembly's attention to Pakistan's history of harboring global terror figures. Gahlot pointed out the hypocrisy of Pakistan's security claims by noting that the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks was discovered living near a premier Pakistani military academy.
The Indian representative concluded with a firm warning to Islamabad, stating that India reserves its sovereign right to self-defence and that continued support for cross-border terrorism will inevitably lead to consequences. “We demonstrated last year that terrorists will have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide,” Gahlot asserted.