India has declared that it will now prioritize the use of its water resources exclusively for its own benefit, marking a significant shift in its approach to cross-border water sharing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this announcement on Tuesday, stating, “Now, India’s water will flow for India’s benefit, it will be conserved for India’s benefit, and it will be used for India’s progress.” This decision comes after India suspended a 65-year-old water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that India blames on Pakistan-backed terrorists.

The Indus Waters Treaty, which has governed the sharing of water from six rivers in the Indus basin since 1960, has long been seen as a symbol of cooperation between the two nuclear-armed nations. However, the relationship between India and Pakistan has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, particularly after the terrorist attack in Kashmir that resulted in 26 civilian deaths.

In the wake of this attack, India launched missile strikes on several locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which Pakistan’s military reported resulted in the deaths of eight people. India also reported three civilian deaths due to shelling from Pakistan.

While Modi did not explicitly mention Pakistan, his comments come amid heightened tensions. Pakistani leaders have warned that any disruption to the water flow would be considered an act of war. Experts suggest that India’s move to stop the water flow will require the construction of more dams and reservoirs, a process that could take time. The US has called for both nations to seek a peaceful resolution to the situation.