India decided to stop its share of river waters that would otherwise flow into which neighbouring country, as part of a policy response to tensions?

Introduction / Context:
River water sharing is a sensitive issue in international relations, especially for neighbouring countries that depend on common river systems. India has water sharing arrangements with several neighbours through treaties and agreements. At one point, India announced it would stop using restraint on its share of certain river waters that were flowing into a particular neighbouring country, as a response to security tensions. The question tests whether you can recall which country was involved in this high profile policy announcement.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question refers to India and its share of river waters.
• India decided to stop its share of waters flowing into a neighbouring country.
• Options include China, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
• The decision was framed as a policy response to tensions and security concerns.

Concept / Approach:
India has long standing arrangements with Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. In the wake of serious security incidents, Indian leaders spoke about fully utilising India’s share of waters that were otherwise flowing into Pakistan, as a form of pressure while staying within treaty limits. This decision was widely covered in the media. While India also shares rivers with China, Nepal, Bangladesh, and has smaller linkages with Afghanistan, the specific context of stopping or diverting its share of waters as a policy signal is associated with Pakistan.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Indus river system and related water sharing issues are central to India Pakistan relations. Step 2: Remember the decision announced by India to maximise use of its share of river waters, especially those flowing into Pakistan. Step 3: Examine the options and locate Pakistan among them. Step 4: Rule out China, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh because they were not the focus of this particular announcement. Step 5: Select “Pakistan” as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think about which treaties and disputes are most frequently mentioned in the context of water being used as a pressure lever. The Indus Waters Treaty is central in the India Pakistan context and discussions on using India’s share of waters more aggressively are always linked with Pakistan. Although India has river arrangements with Bangladesh and others, there was no similarly prominent announcement of stopping its share of waters directed at them in this way, confirming that Pakistan is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
China: India and China share some river systems, but the question refers to India deciding to stop its share of waters flowing into a neighbour in a specific political context, which was not China in this situation.
Nepal: Water sharing with Nepal is governed by different agreements and was not the target of the policy language referred to here.
Afghanistan: Any future plans to use river waters to benefit Afghanistan do not match the described step of stopping water flowing into a neighbour as a response to tensions.
Bangladesh: India and Bangladesh have separate river arrangements, but this particular decision and media narrative were not about Bangladesh, making this option incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to think of any neighbour with which India has water issues and to guess randomly, especially Bangladesh, because of the Ganga and Teesta disputes. Another pitfall is to ignore the security and political context and focus only on geography. In exam preparation, linking water issues with the correct treaties and partners, such as the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, helps you separate different river disputes and avoid confusion.

Final Answer:
India decided to stop its share of river waters that flow into Pakistan.