India, Jan. 11 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the agreement had long harmed the interests of the region and that its suspension would allow Jammu and Kashmir to utilise its own water resources.

Speaking at a news conference in Amritsar, Omar reiterated his opposition to the decades-old treaty.

"I have been against it from the very first day. The Indus Water Treaty has greatly harmed us. It is good that the treaty has been suspended," the Chief Minister said.

He said the next step should be concrete measures to ensure Jammu and Kashmir can effectively use its water resources for the benefit of its people.

"Now I want measures to be taken so that we are ab...