India Fast-Tracks Chenab Hydropower Amid IWT Row; Pakistan Cries Foul

• India approved 260-MW Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on Chenab River in J&K, accelerating energy development.
• The move follows India placing the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and comes after the 1,856-MW Sawalkot project clearance.
• Pakistan alleges IWT breach and threat to water security, but India maintains the "run-of-the-river" project is compliant and within its rights.
• EAM S. Jaishankar criticized Pakistan as a "bad neighbour," linking water sharing to mutual trust and condemning terrorism.
• Despite heightened tensions, India and Pakistan continued annual exchanges of nuclear installation and prisoner lists, showing ongoing confidence-building measures.

Why It Matters: India asserts its right to develop Chenab hydropower, linking water sharing to Pakistan's conduct.