Mahabalipuram, Aug 20: Amid the continuing Cauvery water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said rivers do not recognise political boundaries and called for greater cooperation among southern states.

Speaking at the Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shivakumar said water should unite states rather than become a source of division.

“Our rivers do not recognise political boundaries. The Cauvery, the Krishna, the Tungabhadra, the Pennar and the Palar are the lifelines of the southern peninsula,” Shivakumar said.

“Water must unite us, not divide us. The time has come to move from water sharing to water cooperation,” he added.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, seated next to Shivakumar at the meeting, was also present when the Karnataka Chief Minister made the remarks.

Referring to the June 25 meeting involving Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Shivakumar said Karnataka had demonstrated how cooperation could help address inter-state water issues.

“That is the Karnataka approach,” he said.

Shivakumar said Karnataka recognised the legitimate needs of every riparian state but stressed that cooperation had to be reciprocal.

“Karnataka has always respected its neighbours’ rights, and asks only that our own be respected in return — our lawful share under the tribunal awards and the timely completion of the projects that carry water to our farmers,” he said.

The Chief Minister also urged Amit Shah to expedite the release of Rs 5,300 crore promised by the Union government for the Upper Bhadra Project, saying the delay was affecting its implementation.