India on Thursday reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan would remain in abeyance until Islamabad credibly and irrevocably abjures support to cross-border terrorism as water and bloodî cannot flow together.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said that any bilateral talks with Islamabad would only be on vacation of illegally occupied territories of Kashmir by Pakistan.
You are well aware of our position that any India-Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral,î he said in response to a question on US President Donald Trump showing interest in helping India and Pakistan resolve the Kashmir issue.
I would like to remind you that talks and terror dont go together, Jaiswal said.
On terrorism itself, we are open to discussing the handing over to India of terrorists whose list was provided to Pakistan some years ago, he said.
Jaiswal said, ìI would like to underline that any bilateral discussion on J&K will only be on the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.
About the Indus Waters Treaty, he said it would remain in abeyance till Islamabad stops supporting cross-border terrorism.
It will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. As our PM has said, ëWater and blood cannot flow together, Jaiswal said.
India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan including suspension of the IWT.
The measures were announced a day after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 persons, mostly tourists.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect.