Pakistan Delegation Visits India for Indus Water Treaty Talks
A delegation from Pakistan has arrived in Jammu, India, to discuss the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Security has been increased around their hotel.
About the Indus Water Treaty
The treaty was signed by India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan in 1960, with the World Bank as a signatory. It involves cooperation and information exchange on river usage between the two countries. The Permanent Indus Commission, which includes commissioners from both nations, meets annually to discuss technical matters and resolve disputes.
Current Visit
The Pakistani delegation will visit dam sites in Kishtwar. This visit follows the cancellation of the 2022 meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last meeting was held in March 2023.
Ongoing Disputes
India and Pakistan have ongoing disputes over the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric projects. Pakistan claims these projects violate the treaty, while India insists they comply with the guidelines. The World Bank has suggested alternative ways to resolve these disagreements.
In 2015, Pakistan requested a Neutral Expert to examine its objections to India’s projects but later proposed a Court of Arbitration. Despite India’s efforts to find a mutually agreeable solution, Pakistan has refused to discuss the issue during the five meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission from 2017 to 2022.
