India, Pakistan officials to discuss Indus Water Treaty in March

New Delhi: After a spot of over two and a half years, the Indus Water commissioners of India and Pakistan will meet in New Delhi from March 23 to 24.

Under the Indus water treaty, the commissioners are required to meet yearly to discuss points pertaining to the settlement. The final such meet occurred in Lahore in August 2018. 

This is the 116th assembly of the Indus Water Commissioners which alternates between the 2 international locations.

The Indian aspect shall be led by Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters Pradeep Kumar Saxena, whereas the Pakistan aspect shall be led by its Indus Water commissioner Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah.

In a break from custom, no talks had been held final yr for the primary time for the reason that treaty got here into impact in 1960, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Zee News, Pradeep Saxena stated, “We are committed towards full utilisation of India’s rights under the Treaty and believe in amicable solution of issues through discussion.”

Confirming that throughout the assembly, Pakistan’s objections to the design of Indian hydropower tasks on the Chenab River shall be mentioned, he defined {that a} “resolution will be reached on these issues. Both the Commissioners will also finalise the program of tours of the Commission on either side as well as a schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year.”

Plenty of routine issues shall be mentioned together with information sharing. The Indian aspect has advised the assembly, with Pakistan agreeing to it. Pakistan’s overseas ministry spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudri has additionally confirmed the assembly, with the Pakistan delegation set to go to New Delhi. 

The assembly comes in the backdrop of Indian and Pakistani forces issuing a joint assertion and agreeing to observe the 2003 ceasefire pact on the Line of management. The India Pakistan Indus water talks will see either side sitting with one another for the primary time for the reason that 2019 developments such because the Pulwama terror assault and the removing of particular standing for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Under the Indus water treaty of 1960, waters of three jap Rivers – Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, which stands at round 3 million acre-feet ( MAF) is allotted to India for unrestricted use whereas the waters of three western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab amounting to round 135 MAF yearly goes to Pakistan.

The treaty additionally says that New Delhi has the suitable to generate hydroelectricity via the run of the river tasks on the three western rivers which is topic to particular standards for design and operation. Pakistan can, below the treaty, elevate objections on the design of Indian hydroelectric tasks on western rivers.

Pakistan, being a decrease riparian state has objected to sure Indian tasks on Chenab, that it’s anticipated to elevate throughout the upcoming assembly. Last March, a gathering was scheduled in Delhi however didn’t occur due to COVID-19. India had proposed a digital meet in July 2020 however Islamabad was eager to maintain it at Attari examine put up, however this additionally couldn’t occur due to the pandemic.