India does not possess the capacity to block Pakistan’s water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), yet continues to run misleading propaganda to appease its domestic audience and achieve political mileage. Recent claims by Indian media alleging that India has reduced or stopped Pakistan’s water are baseless and technically inaccurate.
As per the IWT, India is allowed to store up to 1.7 million acre-feet (MAF) of water on the Chenab River. However, India currently has a total storage capacity of only 0.7 MAF on the Chenab, meaning it still lacks the infrastructure to utilise even the full permissible quota. Despite being allowed an additional 1 MAF of storage for run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects, India is unable to implement it due to limited storage capacity.
Pakistan continues to receive its usual annual flow of approximately 23 MAF from the Chenab River, with no disruption observed. Occasional fluctuations in flow are purely technical — often due to maintenance, silt clearance, or inspections — and not the result of any Indian interference.
Indian media’s sensational narratives, claiming water blockade or diversion, are contrary to the treaty provisions and on-ground realities. These falsehoods are part of a political strategy to sell a “nationalist” agenda, rather than reflecting any real change in water dynamics.
Authorities urge the public to rely on verified facts and not fall prey to politically motivated disinformation.
