A sharp political clash has erupted between Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, the former CM of J&K, over the potential revival of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project. This dispute follows India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Omar Abdullah proposed that, with the water-sharing agreement now on hold, work on the long-delayed Tulbul project on Wular Lake could resume. He argued that the project would improve navigation on the Jhelum River and enhance downstream power generation, especially during winter months. Abdullah questioned whether the treaty’s temporary suspension now allows for the resumption of a project that was shelved in the 1980s due to Pakistani objections.
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In contrast, Mehbooba Mufti strongly criticized Abdullah’s position, calling it “dangerously provocative” and “deeply irresponsible.” She warned that such actions could escalate tensions at a time when both India and Pakistan are stepping back from the brink of conflict. Mufti emphasized that using water, a vital humanitarian resource—as a weapon is inhumane and risks internationalizing what should remain a strictly bilateral issue. She called for peace and dialogue instead of confrontation. This exchange underscores the political and strategic rifts within Jammu and Kashmir regarding the management of water resources and relations with Pakistan following the treaty’s suspension.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
