CHANDIGARH – In a landmark meeting on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held crucial discussions on the long-standing Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute that has strained ties between the two neighboring states for decades.
The leaders emerged together to address the media, projecting a united front. Mann emphasized brotherhood, invoking the legacy of Sikh Guru traditions. ‘Haryana is not our enemy; it is our brother,’ he declared, referencing Bhai Kanhaiya’s act of offering water to foes during battles. ‘Our Gurus’ teachings guide us to resolve conflicts with compassion.’
Mann highlighted the global water crisis looming ahead, positioning the SYL issue as part of a larger challenge. ‘Water management will define our future. We must divide resources wisely without depriving anyone,’ he said. Both states presented their positions thoroughly, with Mann joking that the topic dominates every encounter with Saini.
Key decisions included ramping up officer-level meetings to three or four times monthly, bypassing waits for Supreme Court dates. ‘Courts and the Centre urge us to negotiate directly,’ Mann noted. Officials will deliberate openly, prepare reports, and escalate findings to the CMs for final calls, potentially via phone to avoid formalities.
Saini echoed the positivity, quoting Guru Nanak Dev Ji: ‘Air is our Guru, water our father, earth our great mother.’ He stressed respecting natural elements. The meeting aligns with Supreme Court directives and prior talks under Union Minister C.R. Patil. Regular official dialogues will now shape the path forward, fostering hope for amicable resolution.
This fraternal approach harks back to ancestral methods of settling disputes through dialogue. With states separated since 1966, solving SYL could benefit Punjab, Haryana, and India at large, ensuring equitable water sharing amid rising scarcity.