Kashmir Isn’t Pakistan’s Jugular Vein: Indian River Waters Are – OpEd

“The Indian River Waters can be the future Brahmāstra.” ‘Brahmāstra’ is a term from ancient Hindu scriptures, referring to a powerful celestial weapon said to have been created by Lord Brahma. It’s considered one of the most destructive and potent weapons in Hindu mythology due to its sheer destructive power and ability to annihilate entire regions. It was wielded by epic characters like Arjuna, Ashwatthama, and Rama in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. “Mythological belief is that it could cause drought, famine, and the drying up of rivers”.

Pakistan says, “Kashmir is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein” but I now strongly differ on this so far Pakistan’s popularphrase and would like to amend to “Indian Waters are Pakistan’s Jugular Vein” and “Kashmir is NOT Pakistan’s Jugular Vein”. So, it is a geopolitical metaphor that underscores Pakistan’s strategic vulnerability due to its dependence on rivers that flow through India and then enter Pakistan. 

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan was brokered with the help of the World Bank. Under the treaty, Pakistan receives over 80% of the water from the Indus River system. India’s major rivers-Indus, Jhelum, Chenab flow through India and then flow into Pakistan. The revised metaphor implies that India holds a strategic lever over Pakistan by controlling the upstream flow of rivers critical to Pakistan’s agriculture and water security.

“Jugular Vein” Metaphor. The jugular vein is vital for carrying blood from the brain to the heart—if severed, it can be fatal. In this context, it means water from India is vital for Pakistan’s survival, especially for irrigation, food security, and energy (hydropower). Any disruption could have severe consequences for Pakistan’s economy and stability.

Prime Minister Modi said in his message to the nation during which he warned Pakistan that India has only paused its action, and its next move will depend on Pakistan’s actions; “Terror and talk cannot take place together. Terror and trade cannot take place together and Water and Blood also cannot flow together.” 

India has not yet suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, it has hinted at using water as a pressure tool, particularly in times of political tension. International law though discourages weaponizing water. Pakistan often raises objections to any new Indian dam or hydropower project as a potential threat.

The phrase “Kashmir is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein” has been a longstanding metaphor in Pakistani political discourse, symbolizing the nation’s deep-seated claim over the region. This expression has been reiterated by various Pakistani leaders over the years, including Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani and their Army Chiefs. 

Pahalgam Attack A Shift to Pakistan’s Jugular Vein

In the wake of the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists, there has been a notable shift in rhetoric from the Indian side. Indian officials have begun to emphasize the strategic importance of water resources originating from India to Pakistan, and I repeatedly have stated in my articles that “Indian River Waters are Pakistan’s Jugular Vein.” This shift should underscore India’s control over the headwaters of the Indus River system, which is vital to Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. Following the Pahalgam incident, India suspended participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting the potential leverage India holds over its waters. Indian policymakers and commentators, aiming to counter Pakistan’s longstanding narrative need to highlight India’s strategic advantages in the region with its waters flowing into Pakistan.

China-India Diplomatic Ties

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic ties and relations are currently experiencing a period of warming. As two ancient civilizations, China and India share a history of friendly exchanges that spans thousands of years. The immediate priority for both countries should be to effectively manage their differences, particularly regarding the border issue. As the two largest developing countries in the world, their primary focus should be on development. A healthy and stable China-India relationship will undoubtedly provide strong momentum for the growth of both nations.

China to Tunnel River Waters from Tibet? 

There have been unconfirmed reports in the past of China mulling to tunnel Indus River waters from Tibet to its northern Xinjiang province which is devoid of water. The Indus River originates in Tibet and flows into India and Pakistan. There appears no credible evidence for the moment to suggest China’s water diversion plans of the Indus River.

However, no one knows the Chinese plans! If China is to divert the Indus, then Kashmir and Pakistan will face the water crunch. Indus provides near 54% of water to Pakistan and irrigates about 71% of the land. Pakistan and China though are long term strong allies but the need of water for life is beyond such relations when it is the question of their own citizens survival.

Dam on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet) 

China has proposed large-scale water diversion projects involving the Yarlung Tsangpo River (known as the Brahmaputra in India), which originates near Mount Kailash in Tibet. It then enters India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Bangladesh. In 2017, reports emerged about a proposed 1,000-kilometer tunnel to divert water from the Yarlung Tsangpo to the arid Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. Chinese officials denied these reports.

More recently, China has initiated the construction of a massive hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, which is set to become the world’s largest hydropower facility. This project has raised concerns in India and Bangladesh about potential disruptions to downstream water flow, as the river is vital for agriculture and drinking water in these countries.

Water Conflicts

Water conflicts may soon become the main source of discord between nations, replacing the ongoing boundary disputes and discords. Some of the major global hotspots where water issues could spark conflicts between countries: Rivers Indus and Brahmaputra (India- China), Indus River System (India-Pakistan),  Nile River Basin (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia),Tigris-Euphrates Basin (Turkey, Syria, Iraq), (Jordan River Basin (Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon),Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers(Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan),Mekong River(China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam),Lake Chad Basin(Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon),Colorado River Basin(United States-Mexico), Kabul River, a tributary of the Indus(Afghanistan–Pakistan), Helmand River(Afghanistan–Iran), River Dnieper (Ukraine-Crimea).

It is a Mythological belief that ‘Brahmāstra’ could cause drought, famine, and the drying up of rivers, India can turn this belief into truth if Pakistan does not behave by snapping the Indian River Waters – Pakistan’s jugular vein.”

“India need NOT bleed Pakistan through war, but through the powerful flow of its river waters. The Indian rivers that flow into Pakistan should carry a message that Indian Rivers Water of Peace shall flow as long as   Pakistan behaves.”

Once the flow of Indian rivers, (Pakistan’s Jugular Vein), is Cut, the True Cry will be of Thirst, not Blood. Let there be No Bloodshed, only the silence of drying rivers and ‘Cry of Water’, for the Indian Water. Strangulate Pakistan by telling them “Kashmir is NOT Pakistan’s Jugular Vein”— “Indian Water is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein”

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My earlier similar articles on the Issue