Commissioned to the Sikkim Scouts in December of last year, Tiwari was leading a Route Opening Patrol toward a Tactical Operating Base (TOB) when a soldier from his team, Stephan Subba, lost his balance while crossing a log bridge and was swept away by a strong mountain current.

In a courageous move, Tiwari and another soldier, Naik Pukar Katel, jumped into the stream to save Subba. While they managed to escape, Tiwari was tragically caught by the current. The Indian Army later reported that his body was recovered 800 meters downstream at 11:30 am.

Hailing from Ayodhya, Tiwari is remembered as a hero, exemplifying the Indian Army’s core values of selfless service, integrity, and leadership by example—values that forge an unbreakable bond between officers and soldiers, both in peace and conflict.

The Eastern Command shared their condolences on X, stating, “Lt Gen RC Tiwari, #ArmyCdrEC & All Ranks express deepest condolences on the demise of Lt Shashank Tiwari who made the supreme sacrifice while rescuing a fellow soldier from being swept away in a river during an operational patrol in HAA in #NorthSikkim. #IndianArmy stands firmly with the bereaved family.”

During a public event, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry commented on India’s recent suspension of the water-sharing treaty in response to a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, “If you block our water, we will choke your breath.”

This statement comes amidst India’s decision to halt elements of the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains effective only if Pakistan renounces terrorism and ceases its support for militant groups based within its territory.

Chaudhry’s remarks reflect LeT founder Hafiz Saeed’s incendiary rhetoric, which reportedly includes threats such as, “If you stop the water, God willing, we will stop your breath, and then blood shall follow in these rivers,” as shared in various online videos. Saeed, notorious for orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has long been known for his inflammatory speeches against both India and the United States.

These comments follow India’s suspension of portions of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, just a day after a deadly attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives. Established in 1960 with the backing of the World Bank, this treaty governs the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries.

New Delhi has consistently reaffirmed its position that “blood and water cannot flow together; talk and terror cannot coexist,” underscoring its firmer approach towards Pakistan’s alleged support of cross-border terrorism. India’s countermeasures have included initiatives like “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, targeting terror hideouts within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The External Affairs Ministry reinforced this stance, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating, “Blood and water cannot flow together; terror and talks cannot go together,” echoing a longstanding position emphasized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a public address in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, Prime Minister Modi delivered a stark warning to Pakistan, asserting that the country would have to “struggle for every penny” if it continued supporting terrorism, and would forfeit its due share of water under the treaty. He cautioned, “Playing with the blood of Indians will now cost Pakistan heavily.”

A significant outcome of this meeting was the approval of a Joint Declaration, which includes three annexures: the BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and the Strengthening of the Multilateral Trading System; the BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding; and the BRICS Trade and Sustainable Development Framework.

During the Summit, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed India’s gratitude to Brazil for fostering consensus and welcomed Indonesia’s entry as a new BRICS member in 2025.

The speech reaffirmed India’s dedication to a fair, transparent, and inclusive rules-based multilateral trading system, urging BRICS nations to enhance a decentralized global trade framework that caters to the developmental needs of the Global South.

On the topic of WTO reform, India underscored the importance of addressing persistent developmental challenges, particularly advocating for a Permanent Solution to Public Stockholding (PSH) for food security.

The Indian initiative of “30 for 30,” which aims to introduce 30 incremental improvements in homage to the WTO’s 30th anniversary in 2025, was also highlighted. India reiterated its belief that sustainable development, deeply embedded in its cultural values, should be a foundational aspect of international trade governance.

India also reinforced its role in inclusive digital governance, represented by flagship programs like Digital India and IndiaAI. It emphasized its commitment to global cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity through forums such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and G20.

The meeting included participation from Yashvir Singh, the Economic Adviser in the Department of Commerce, representing India.