New Delhi: The Jal Shakti Ministry has clarified that no water from the Sutlej and Beas rivers flows to Pakistan, except during the monsoon season. This was stated by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Choudhary explained that such releases occur only in exceptional circumstances. These circumstances primarily arise when the water levels of dams increase significantly due to heavy rainfall in the rivers' catchment areas, necessitating the discharge of water to ensure dam safety. He explicitly stated, "No water from the Sutlej and Beas rivers flows to Pakistan except during the monsoon season i.e., during the floods when substantial rainfall occurs in the catchment of these rivers".

This statement comes amid ongoing discussions regarding water sharing between India and Pakistan, particularly in light of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, allocates the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers to India, while Pakistan manages the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.

Recent events have put the treaty under strain. In April 2025, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India reportedly suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil asserted that India would ensure that not a single drop of Indus water flows into Pakistan.

The Indus Waters Treaty has been a point of contention for decades. Some argue that changes in the ground situation, including engineering techniques, climate change, and melting glaciers, necessitate a renegotiation of the treaty's terms.

Meanwhile, Pakistan faces a severe water crisis, which some Pakistani officials attribute to India's actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. Senator Ali Zafar of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) referred to the treaty's suspension as a "water bomb" and warned of potential famine if water issues are not resolved.

Despite these tensions, the Indian government maintains that it adheres to the Indus Waters Treaty, releasing water to Pakistan only during the monsoon season or in case of exceptional circumstances that require dam safety measures. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has stated that India is willing to hold talks with Pakistan only on the issue of terrorism and that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance until cross-border terrorism ceases.