Overview
- Speaking at the World Summit for Social Development in Doha on November 5, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said Pakistan's president abused the platform by peddling disinformation against India.
- Mandaviya rejected claims of Indus Waters Treaty violations and accused Pakistan of undermining the treaty's spirit and misusing its mechanisms to obstruct India's lawful projects.
- He said Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and linked Islamabad's posture to cross-border terrorism.
- Urging Pakistan to address domestic challenges, Mandaviya said the country's reliance on international handouts reflects deeper development problems.
- His remarks followed President Asif Ali Zardari's November 4 charge that India is 'weaponising' water, as Mandaviya also highlighted India's reported gains in poverty reduction, food security, health coverage and housing.