Srinagar, June 12 -- Khattar, who was in Srinagar on Thursday, said India no longer needs Pakistan's consent to proceed with water-related projects like Tulbul. "There was a project (Tulbul) under Wular Lake conceived in 1981, but they (Pakistan) never gave consent. Now that the treaty is suspended, we will restart the project. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared soon," the Union Minister said at a press conference marking 11 years of the Modi-led government at the Centre.

He also said India will "definitely" move ahead with new hydro-electric projects in the region, and dismissed Pakistan's objections, warning of a "response on the same pattern" if Islamabad reacts provocatively.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abd...