Invoke Article 62 of Vienna Convention to revoke Indus Water Treaty: Cong

New Delhi: The Congress party on Monday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'blood and water cannot flow together' remarks at the Indus Water Treaty review meet, and asked the government to invoke Article 62 of the Vienna Convention that provides reasonable grounds for withdrawal from the Indus treaty.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "I can keep on thumping on the table and keep on saying that 'blood wand water cannot go together and I can keep on getting questions regarding article 62, but I prefer to answer the latter, whereas he (Modi) prefers the other answer."

He warned the Centre to refrain from 'chest thumping' declaration and said by implementing the Vienna Convention Act serious damage can be dealt to Pakistan.

"Under the Article 62 of the Vienna convention, we have the authority to revoke the Indus Water treaty. If they are willing to work within the ambit of treaty there still have other options for example making dams in various areas, which are acceptable under the agreement, by doing this Pak can be adversely affected," he said

According sources, Prime Minister Modi was quoted as saying 'blood and water cannot go together during the review meet to assess the 50-year old treaty with Pakistan, days after the Uri terror attack.

Under Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, India may invoke a fundamental change of circumstances as a ground for terminating or withdrawing from a treaty.

The Indus-Water Treaty is water sharing agreement signed between former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan president Ayub Khan in 1960 in Karachi.

It was brokered by the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development).