The Indus Waters Treaty completes 63 years of its existence today. The concerns that were not foreseen in 1960 call for bilateral cooperation beyond the treaty.

Lt Gen PK Grover (retd)

Former Information Commissioner, Punjab

NO aspect of our existence today can be fully comprehended without taking into account the impact of climate change, a universal crisis that is presenting itself as a major and well-acknowledged challenge. It has been justifiably described as an existential threat to humanity. Climate-induced changes are exerting major pressure, especially on natural resources shared across contested political borders. Climate change has implications for water resources through increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and altering the timing of snowfall and glacier melt, leading to shifts in the seasonality of river flows. The Indus river system is one such affected system revealing a multi-faceted impact on the areas for which it is a lifeline.

The Indus river system, primarily nourished by precipitation and snow/glacier melt in the high-mountain ranges of Tibet-China, North-West India, northeast Afghanistan and north Pakistan, is one of the largest irrigation systems in the world with a drainage area of about 112 million hectares and an irrigated command area of over 26 million hectares. The water flowing through it (estimated to be constituted by around 32 per cent glacier melt, 40 per cent snowmelt and 28 per cent rainwater during peak stream flow) is vital for existing hydropower projects, with massive untapped potential across its headwater tributaries, and for agricultural production in valleys and downstream arable lands. The Indus river waters play a crucial role in the prosperity and growth of national economies and livelihoods of over 300 million inhabitants in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. However, water, food and energy security in this region is inextricably linked with sustainable water supply in the Indus basin, which is prone to alteration by climate change and the increasing needs of a rapidly growing population, besides socio-economic development and ecosystem services. According to estimates, the Indus basin will lose up to 8.4 per cent of its total water resources by 2050. Experts simultaneously suggest that the rate of recession of glaciers will be hastened further in case of any increase in global temperatures.

The melting of ice and snow stored in the glaciers and the twice-yearly monsoon winds are the two main sources of freshwater in the Indus basin, both of which are acutely vulnerable to climate change. The Hindukush Karakoram Himalaya glaciers are among the least monitored and least researched among glacier systems. One of the consequences of climate change is a reduced flow in the Indus rivers. If there is a substantial decrease in the flows of any one of the western rivers due to climate change, even during the period of abundant supply (June-September), the reduced supplies to India and Pakistan may lead to misunderstandings.

Thus a deeper look and analysis of the major impact of climate change as experienced by the Indus basin are imperative. These include:

(i) Reduced snowmelt and glacier melt: The Indus basin is heavily reliant on snowmelt and glacier melt for its water supply. However, climate change is causing these sources of water to decline. This is leading to water shortage, which is already being felt in some parts of the basin.

(ii) Increased flooding: Climate change is also causing more extreme weather events, such as floods. These floods can cause widespread damage and displacement.

(iii) Changes in precipitation patterns: Climate change is causing rainfall patterns to change leading to more frequent and erratic rainfall and droughts. Such changes are making it difficult to plan for water management in the basin.

(iv) Increased water pollution: Climate change is also making it more difficult to manage water pollution as warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are leading to the growth of algae blooms and other forms of pollution.

According to experts, the area, because of its geographic diversity, has grown extremely vulnerable to floods due to the impact of faster glacial melting in the north, increase in the frequency of droughts, and higher flood risks and salinity levels in the Indus river delta. The Indus basin has a long history of floods. As per records, floods have hit it at least 10 times since 1905, causing significant economic losses and casualties. This is well borne out by the fact that even in recent decades, Pakistan has experienced a high incidence of deadly floods. The devastating floods of July-August 2022 led to more than one-third of the country being inundated, driving millions from their homes. Since then, Pakistan has been reeling under the after-effects, suffering food shortage as well as outbreaks of waterborne diseases. The extreme weather event threw up an immense $16.3 billion reconstruction bill and raised the question whether Pakistan’s recovery could incorporate more climate resilience, given its significant financial constraints.

India and Pakistan share waters of the Indus basin as per the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This agreement, facilitated by the World Bank, completes 63 years of its existence today. The newer emerging concerns that were not foreseen in 1960 — in particular, climate change and its impact on water resources — call for bilateral cooperation beyond the treaty. India felt that there was a need to devise a climate-smart response. Accordingly, in January this year, India announced that it wanted to renegotiate the treaty under Article XII (3) of the IWT to take into account a changed environmental and geopolitical situation, rather than work within what it saw as an outdated framework.

Pakistan’s carbon emissions are less than 1 per cent of the global figure, but it’s ranked among the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to Germanwatch, a think tank. Pakistan, the major beneficiary of the Indus waters, must realise that when communities are well prepared, extreme weather events do not lead to disasters. Pakistan should, therefore, join the negotiation process to work out a new Indus agreement for a comprehensive and integrated form of basin management based on the experience of the past 63 years and future requirements to derive maximum economic benefit.

Divide blurs briefly as Congress lauds Vajpayee | Special session shifts to new building today

Aditi Tandon

New Delhi, September 18

The last working day of old Parliament witnessed a temporary blurring of political divide as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an emotional tribute to the iconic House, saluting 15 past Prime Ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, whose “Tryst with Destiny” speech, he said, “would keep inspiring us”.

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Transition to new house

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• 90-minute event to culminate with MPs walking over to the new Parl building

In an hour-long speech, the PM lauded the majesty of Indian democracy, which sent “a poor boy like me, working on a railway platform, to Parliament” and sought cross-party solidarity for national good in Amrit Kaal.

Entering with new hope

As we enter new Parliament building, we will go there with new hope and confidence.

Narendra Modi, PM

“Who would not feel like clapping when Pt Nehru is praised?” said the PM with Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi thumping her desk in applause when Modi wound up. Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury later reciprocated PM’s gesture by lauding late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for Pokhran despite the threat of sanctions. The PM’s remarks today encapsulated the national enthusiasm around the success of the G20 summit and Chandrayaan-3, even as he recalled milestone events that unfolded in Parliament and declared entry to new Parliament would be marked by new hopes and aspirations. The success of G20 summit, Modi said, “was not of any one person or party but of all 140 crore Indians”. Seeking to reach out to the Opposition, the PM noted while MPs threw barbs at one another, “the filial bonds struck in Parliament outlive all bitterness”.

‘Focus on improving nation’s condition’

Asserting that nothing new would be achieved by shifting to new Parliament, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to change the way it did politics, accusing it of using ED to scare the Opposition. “I urge treasury to focus on improving country’s conditions,” he said.

Among milestones involving predecessors mentioned by PM Modi were the creation of Bangladesh under Indira Gandhi; the genesis of Green Revolution under Lal Bahadur Shastri; the suspension and restoration of democracy post Emergency; the economic reforms under PV Narasimha Rao; and the cash-for-vote scam under Manmohan Singh. From the best labour law practices piloted by BR Ambedkar to the first industrial policy drafted by then industry minister Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the PM remembered everyone who contributed to strengthening the House — personnel who died defending Parliament in the 2001 attack, parliament staffers and even journalists.

“Our ancestors proved all sceptics of Indian democracy wrong,” he stated.

Amid frequent applause by ruling party MPs, the PM recalled the contributions of all Presidents and PMs from Nehru and Shastri to Chandra Shekhar, Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and said: “Today is a day to celebrate past PMs.” He also lauded Sardar Patel, Ram Manohar Lohia, LK Advani and all 16 Lok Sabha Speakers right from GV Mavalankar.

In a special mention, he spoke of Bhagat Singh exploding a bomb in this very building in 1929 to “awaken a slumbering empire”.

The historical decisions taken in Parliament that found mention in the PM’s speech were Abrogation of Article 370, GST, One Rank One Pension, and 10% quota for the economically weak.

The PM wrapped up saying the membership of the 17th Lok Sabha would get the good fortune of acting as a link between past and present as the session prepares to shift to new Parliament tomorrow.

Need to uphold values of dissent and debate

MEMBERS of Parliament will move into the new Parliament House today. A fresh beginning is being made. The occasion also calls for an honest assessment. On the first day of the special session, held in the old Parliament House on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the many bitter-sweet memories of the building. Despite differences and disputes, he said in his speech, it witnessed Parivar Bhaav (a feeling of family). That sense of being part of a national collective, no matter the ideological positions, is fast waning. A breakdown in trust between the government and the Opposition is not unusual, but the persistent bitterness as well as the lack of traditional courtesies certainly are. What should set alarm bells ringing is any undermining of the customs and conventions that have shaped the values of our parliamentary system.

Scripting a new chapter in the conduct of our MPs would rate high on every citizen’s wishlist. The loss of public trust in Parliament’s ability to function normally and be productive should be a matter of concern for every political party. A section of the people developing a distaste for a prized institution is a worrying sign. Acrimonious scenes and trivialisation of issues that demand informed debates serve no purpose. The citizen shouldn’t be let down. The government should work against the possibility of a decline in the respect for the institution which would erode all that the new building sets out to represent. It cannot be seen as cold-shouldering the Opposition as a policy matter.

There is buzz about the Women’s Reservation Bill being cleared in the special session. More political space for women is a cherished dream, but mere physical presence would change little. Their voice must resonate. When optics and substance intermingle, the latter must predominate. That would be the real transformation.

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, September 18

Terrorists from Pakistan, trained in jungle warfare and sustaining tactics, have become a headache for the security forces who are finding ways to deal with these new age terrorists in J&K. The recent operations in Kokernag of Anantnag and those in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi district have brought to light that terrorists being sent to J&K from Line of Control (LoC) are being trained in jungle warfare with ‘hit and run’ tactics.

Ceasefire helped bolster terror infra

• According to Army intelligence, the renewed ceasefire pact two years ago has helped strengthen terror infrastructure on the other side of the LoC.
• Earlier, in the event of ceasefire violations, security men used to destroy terror launch pads, deterring the infiltrators.

The Army intelligence has received specific inputs that multiple terror camps in Pakistan-occupied J&K (PoJK) have been made operational and terrorists are being trained for long haul during encounters. Pertinently, India and Pakistan agreed to a renewed ceasefire along the LoC on February 25, 2021 which intelligence officials now believe might have strengthened the terror infrastructure in PoJK. “Earlier, during ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Indian Army used to target terror launch pads close to the LoC. This used to be a deterrent for terrorists trying to infiltrate,” said an Army intelligence official.

“Since the 2003 ceasefire agreement was renewed in 2021, the terror infrastructure has again strengthened close to the LoC,” he said.

The new age terrorists have taken battles to forests instead of urban areas where cornering them is comparatively easier. “After infiltrating, terrorists survive in natural caves in forest areas for days, especially in Pir Panjal region. They bring along eatables,” said an Army official based in 16 Corps at Nagrota, Jammu.

It has been reliably learnt that recently a meeting of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists with Pakistan army and ISI officials took place in Islamabad in which plans to revive insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed.

Samaan Lateef

Srinagar, September 18

Two bodies, including that of a missing soldier, were recovered from the Gadool forest in Kokernag area of Anantnag district, an Army officer said on Monday. Army man Pradeep Kumar had gone missing during an initial gunfight with militants in Hallpora village on Wednesday. The bodies were found at 11:30 am. Kumar was accompanying martyred Major Aashish Dhonchak during the encounter. In the subsequent days, the Army launched an operation to eliminate the militants as well as to trace the missing soldier.

The area was subjected to intensive bombardment with grenades and high-powered shells to clear it from militants besides recovering Kumar’s body. The body is being transported back, the officer said.The operation, which extended into its sixth consecutive day, witnessed persistent efforts from soldiers as they continued to shell the militants’ hideout and conducted extensive searches in the vicinity of the encounter site.

The ill-fated operation was initiated late on Tuesday evening based on intelligence inputs indicating the presence of militants in a concealed forest hideout. However, the militants swiftly detected the presence of the joint team of the Army and the police on Wednesday morning. It led to a barrage of gunfire from the militants’ assault rifles, causing chaos and hindering evacuation efforts.

Tragically, officers found themselves stranded in the line of fire. During the initial exchange of fire, Colonel Manpreet Singh lost his life, while Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Himayun Muzammil Bhat sustained injuries but later succumbed The Army had said that two soldiers were also injured during the encounter.

Terrorist opens fire on CRPF vehicle

A militant opened fire on a moving bullet-proof CRPF vehicle in Khanyar, Srinagar, on Monday evening. No one was injured. The terrorist fled after opening fire.

(With inputs)

PTI

Srinagar, September 18

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited the residence of martyred DSP Himayun Bhat and assured the family members of all assistance. Bhat, along with Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonchak and two soldiers, was killed by terrorists on Wednesday.

The operation to flush out terrorists holed up in the Gadole forest area of Anantnag continued with security forces using drones to pinpoint the hideouts for carrying out attacks on the militants.

Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18

Reuters

Ottawa, September 18

Canada said on Monday it had credible information linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh leader in British Columbia in June and said it had expelled a senior Indian intelligence official.

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• Canada expels Indian diplomat as it investigates India’s possible link to Sikh activist’s slaying

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen was “an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty”.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.

Nijjar supported a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent Khalistani state and been branded by India as a “terrorist,” the Canadian Broadcasting Corp said.

“Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Trudeau said in an emergency statement to the House of Commons parliamentary chamber.

“Canada has declared its deep concerns to the top intelligence and security officials of the Indian government.

Last week at the G20 I brought them personally and directly to Prime Minister Modi in no uncertain terms.” New Delhi said last week that Modi had conveyed strong concerns about protests in Canada against India to Trudeau.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that Ottawa had expelled the Indian head of intelligence in Canada but gave no further details.

Canada has the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab in India, and the country has been the site of many protests that have irked India.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 17

Unidentified persons abducted and killed an Indian Army soldier, Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom, while he was on leave in Manipur. The slain soldier was abducted from his house at Tarung in Neikanlong area of Imphal West district around 10 am on September 16. He was deployed at Leimakhong Military Station, Manipur.

As per the statement of his 10-year-old son, the only eyewitness to the crime, three miscreants entered their house while the father-son duo was working on the porch. The miscreants, he said, placed a pistol on his father’s head and forced him into a white-coloured vehicle and drove away.

There was no news of the soldier till this morning. Around 9.30 am, his body was found at Khuningthek village under Sogolmang police station in Imphal East. His identity was confirmed by his brother and brother-in-law, Ministry of Defence spokesperson in Nagaland Col Amit Shukla said. The soldier is survived by his wife, daughter and the son.

The last rites will be conducted as per the wishes of the family, officials said, adding the Army had rushed a team to assist the bereaved family.

‘Doot Mk1 nano drone is equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities, allowing it to identify up to 80 different objects’

Weighing approximately 200 gm, these drones boast an endurance of up to 30 minutes and can reach a maximum speed of 80 kmph with very low sound. Photo: @IDR_RND_PVT_LTD/X
PTI

Jammu, September 17

A defence startup founded two years ago by a team of young engineers from IIT Roorkee has developed three variants of nano drones, including a ‘Kamikaze’ UAV, which have application in anti-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

Mayank Pratap Singh, the co-founder of the startup IDR, said, “This is the first time that nano drones have been developed indigenously in this country.”

“In just two years since the formation of our startup in 2021, we have developed three variants of nano drones that are actively aiding security forces in their efforts against insurgency and terrorism,” Singh told PTI here.

He said IDR Research and Development has introduced the Doot Mk1 nano drone in three specialised variants, which were showcased at the North-tech symposium. The symposium was held here recently to address operational challenges and procure state-of-the-art equipment for the Army.

Weighing approximately 200 gm, these drones boast an endurance of up to 30 minutes and can reach a maximum speed of 80 kmph with very low sound, Singh said, adding the Doot Mk1 is equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities, allowing it to identify up to 80 different objects.

“One version of the drone is optimised for outdoor operations, another for indoor settings, and there’s an explosive variant (Kamikaze).

“These nano drones can be deployed in under 10 seconds during emergencies. Their compact sizes allow them to be navigated in complex spaces, whether launched from hand, rooftop, or moving vehicles,” Singh said.

The ‘Kamikaze’ version, named Parush, explodes upon reaching its target.

Carrying explosives, the drone has a kill button for it to detonate, he said, adding the drones equipped with such mechanism would have to be programmed to identify the enemy’s hideout and explode there.

“Parush means lethal or destructive. We have successfully tested the explosive drone recently and are working on the safety part now,” he said. “It will be ready by December.”https://88c29d1943995b2e974ebe93fe17a43f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

About the Doot MK1 drone, Singh said, the live feed from it is relayed to multiple screens, ensuring seamless coordination in close combat scenarios. It has a range of 1.5 km, and is operable indoors or within buildings covering 200 to 300 metres, he added.

These nano drones were tested by various commands of the armed forces as well as the NSG and Assam rifles, the startup’s officials said, adding that the Army has produced 20 units.

The cost of a nano drone is roughly Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh.https://88c29d1943995b2e974ebe93fe17a43f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“Our drones are crafted specifically for Indian conditions. They have successfully passed tests in high-altitude areas, deserts, and varying weather conditions,” Singh said, adding that these nano drones are essential for anti-terrorism operations, close-quarter combats, indoor interventions, and silent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

The mini drones that are currently in use in India are predominantly the US-manufactured ‘Black Hornet.’

The startup is actively exploring opportunities for exporting its products.

“We recently participated in a defence exhibition in Gujarat and received excellent feedback from countries such as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Morocco. Discussions are underway with their respective governments for procurement. The Cambodian army has expressed interest and discussions for potential procurement are underway,” Singh said.

Tribune Reporters

Chandigarh/Ferozepur Sept 17

In three separate incidents along the International Border in Punjab over the past 24 hours, the Border Security Force (BSF) has shot down two drones and seized two consignments of narcotics, totalling over 5.6 kg.

On September 17, around 4.10 am, BSF troops detected the movement of a drone near Gatti Rajoke village in Ferozepur district. As per the laid-down drill, troops immediately intercepted the drone and shot it, a BSF officer said.

• The staff of the Counter-Intelligence Wing arrested a smuggler from Lakho ke Behram and seized 1 kg heroin from him
• The accused was booked under Section 25 of the NDPS Act at the State Special Operation Cell

A joint search with the police was carried out and around 6.30 am, a large yellow-coloured packet, suspected to contain heroin weighing 2.5 kg, was found from the fields near the village, he added.

In the second incident today, based on a specific information regarding the presence of a consignment of contraband items dropped by a drone, a joint search operation with the police was launched by the BSF on the outskirts of Amesha village in Tarn Taran district around 2 pm.

Around 3.30 pm, a large packet wrapped in yellow adhesive tape and attached with a metal hook, suspected to be heroin weighing 3.130 kg, was found from the fields near the village.

In the evening of September 16, the BSF shot down a China-made drone in the Tarn Taran Sector.

The downed drone, a quadcopter DJI Mavic-3 Classic, was recovered from the fields near TJ Singh Village in a joint search with the Punjab Police.

The police also nabbed one smuggler while his two accomplices escaped. A manhunt is on to nab them.

The smuggler has been identified as Jagdish Singh, who, during the preliminary investigation, accepted that he along with two other smugglers Bittu Singh and Buta Singh (all residents of Gatti Rajoke village) had brought the consignment from Pakistan. “All three accused have been booked under the NDPS Act at Sadar police station,” said the SSP.