India, July 12 -- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday emphasised the need for closer ties between Punjab and Haryana, calling the neighbouring state as a "younger brother" and urging the Centre, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to focus on strengthening relations rather than deepening divisions.

Speaking in the Punjab assembly on a resolution against the Centre's decision to deploy the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Bhakra-Nangal dam project, Mann criticised the ongoing political disputes between the neighboring states, particularly over water sharing, which has been a contentious issue for decades.

"Both Punjab and Haryana contribute more than 70% to the national food pool. However, successive political p...