Amid calls to deny Indus water to Pak, Modi to discuss treaty tomorrow

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold a meeting on the Indus Water Treaty on Monday, amid calls from various quarters that the government scrap the water distribution pact to mount pressure on Pakistan in wake of the Uri terror attack.

According to sources, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and senior officials will brief the Prime Minister on the matter and discuss its pros and cons.

India had earlier this week made it clear that "mutual trust and cooperation" was important for such a treaty to work. The assertion came amid calls that the government should scrap the water distribution pact to mount pressure on Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.

"It cannot be a one-sided affair," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said when asked if the government will rethink on the Indus Waters Treaty given the growing strain between the two countries.

He also noted that the preamble of the Treaty itself said it was based on "goodwill".

He refused to elaborate and only noted that in diplomacy everything was not spelled out and that he has not said that the treaty was not working.

Under the treaty, which was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960, water of six river - Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum - were to be shared between the two countries.

Pakistan has been complaining of not receiving enough water and gone for international arbitration in couple of cases.