New Delhi: Amid the tension between India and Pakistan, Union Minister Arjun Mehghwal on Sunday said that in a significant move, India has stopped water of three eastern rivers flowing to Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters Union Minister of State for Water Resources, said that 0.53 million acre-feet of eastern rivers which was flowing into Pakistan have been restricted to reach in the neighbouring country.  He said, “0.53 million acre-feet water has been stopped from going to Pakistan and has been stored. Whenever Rajasthan or Punjab needs it, that water can be used for drinking and irrigation purposes.”

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The decision comes in the aftermath increasing tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama attack on February 14, in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

This move of government does not violate the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 as the water has been stopped of the three eastern rivers, namely Sutlej, Ravi and Beas, that India is entitled to use under the treaty.

Post Pulwama attack last month, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced that India has decided to stop the flow of its share of water to Pakistan from rivers under the Indus Water Treaty.

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According to the treaty, the waters of the western rivers, that is Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, will be used by Pakistan while those of the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Ravi and Beas) will be used by India.