New Delhi has issued a strong rebuttal to allegations from Pakistan claiming that India deliberately released water into the Chenab River, thereby causing flooding. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, unequivocally dismissed these accusations, characterising them as "baseless" and "contrary to facts." This firm rejection underscores the Indian government's position on the matter, challenging the very premise of the Pakistani claims.

The core of India's counter-argument rests on Pakistan's own prior assessments of the river's conditions. Mr. Jaiswal pointed out that Pakistan's meteorological authorities had previously issued advisories attributing the elevated water levels in the Chenab River to substantial rainfall. This acknowledgement, made by Pakistan itself, directly contradicts the more recent allegations of intentional water release by India. The Indian government views this earlier statement from Pakistan as a crucial piece of evidence, demonstrating that natural climatic factors, rather than any deliberate action by India, were responsible for the high river flows. The implication is that the current accusations lack a consistent factual basis, given Pakistan's own historical data and analysis.

Moreover, the MEA spokesperson reaffirmed India's commitment to maintaining transparency and humanitarian cooperation regarding water management. India stated its intention to continue sharing high-flood data with Pakistan. This practice, which involves the exchange of vital information concerning river levels and potential flood situations, has been consistently followed in previous years, including the preceding year. The data sharing is explicitly conducted on "humanitarian grounds," highlighting India's dedication to assisting downstream communities and mitigating potential risks, regardless of the bilateral tensions. This commitment to information exchange is expected to continue "as and when the situation arises," ensuring a consistent and responsible approach to hydrological management.

The nature of the allegations, implying a deliberate act of causing harm through water release, carries significant weight in the context of bilateral relations. Such claims could potentially escalate tensions and misrepresent India's water management policies. By providing a swift, fact-based refutation and referencing Pakistan's own weather advisories, India aims to clarify the situation and prevent the spread of misinformation. The government's stance is that any reports suggesting deliberate flooding are entirely unfounded and unsupported by actual hydrological or meteorological data.

India's consistent policy of offering flood-related information reflects its role as a responsible upstream nation sharing a vital water resource. The humanitarian aspect of this data sharing underscores a broader commitment to regional stability and the welfare of populations who might be affected by natural hydrological events. The continuity of this practice, as demonstrated by its implementation last year, reinforces India's position that its actions regarding the Chenab River are transparent, predictable, and guided by established protocols for information exchange during critical environmental conditions. This proactive communication aims to ensure that both nations are adequately informed about the river's status, particularly during periods of high flow.