World Bank Clarifies Role Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
New Delhi: The World Bank firmly clarified its position regarding the ongoing political and military tensions between India and Pakistan, asserting that it will not intervene beyond its facilitator role. In a statement shared by Indian authorities, World Bank President Ajay Banga emphasized, “We have no role to play beyond (that of) a facilitator,” amidst rising media speculation about the organization potentially mediating the longstanding conflict.
Banga’s comments follow his recent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which raised eyebrows due to its timing—just after India’s Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan. However, sources indicated that Banga’s visit aimed to discuss investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, a state crucial to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of upcoming elections.
The speculation surrounding the World Bank’s involvement was further fueled by Pakistan’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 with the World Bank’s assistance. This agreement has historically endured through multiple conflicts between the two nations. The treaty is vital for Pakistan, providing significant water resources for its agriculture.
Following India’s decision to suspend the treaty after a terrorist attack on April 22, certain segments within Pakistan labeled the move as "an act of war." In response, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri insisted on India’s right to reassess the treaty, highlighting that the original spirit of goodwill and friendship has been fundamentally altered by decades of hostility.
While the World Bank has previously acted as a mediator in the water-sharing dispute, Banga’s recent remarks signal that any direct intervention is unlikely, keeping international observers focused on the geopolitical implications of the evolving situation.
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