BEIJING, May 24 – A Chinese scholar has sharply criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks linking water rights to national security and tensions with Pakistan, calling it a dangerous move that threatens peace in South Asia as reported by APP.
Professor Cheng Xizhong, a senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute, said Modi’s attempt to use water as a political weapon goes against global norms and basic human values. “It is a clear act of hegemonism,” Prof. Cheng said in a public statement. “Using threats and pressure to achieve strategic goals only brings chaos, not peace.”
Modi recently hinted at the possibility of cutting off or limiting water from rivers flowing into Pakistan, connecting this with India’s grievances over Kashmir and terrorism. These rivers, especially those forming the Indus River system, are vital to Pakistan’s agriculture, industry, and everyday life.
Prof. Cheng warned that such threats could seriously damage regional stability and India’s reputation around the world. “This kind of rhetoric not only harms peace between two nuclear-armed neighbors, but also shakes India’s standing in international affairs,” he noted.
According to Cheng, Modi’s tough language may be a distraction from growing problems at home. India is facing economic struggles, with inflation over 9.7% and a falling rupee. Meanwhile, after setbacks in a recent air skirmish with Pakistan—where India reportedly lost five fighter jets—Modi’s image has taken a hit.
“Modi wants to shift the spotlight,” Cheng explained, “from domestic troubles to foreign threats. It’s a political trick aimed at winning support from nationalist voters.”
The professor also pointed out that rising Hindutva and extreme nationalism in India are fueling such aggressive policies. However, he warned that playing politics with water could lead to long-term damage, not only to India’s ties with Pakistan, but to its own development and regional influence.
“In the end,” Cheng said, “this strategy may backfire, causing more harm than gain.”
As tensions rise once again between India and Pakistan, many eyes now watch the flow of rivers — and the ripple effects of Modi’s words.
