Goa, July 25 -- Responding strongly to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar's recent remarks on the contentious Mhadei river diversion issue, Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday asserted that he remains committed to protecting Goa's interests, regardless of political commentary from across the border.

"I don't care who says what. Whatever needs to be done for Mhadei, I'll keep doing it. Let people say what they want - he (Shivakumar) is only showing his culture, and I don't care about that," Sawant said, reaffirming his firm stance against the river diversion.

Sawant emphasized that his government's fight to safeguard Goa's water rights over the Mhadei will continue unabated, brushing aside the criticism and poli...