Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ Officials from Pakistan and India will meet in New Delhi on March 23 and 24 to discuss water issues. The meeting in New Delhi will be attended by a Pakistani delegation that includes Indus Water Commissioner Mehr Ali Shah and Foreign Office Spokesman Zahid Hafeez. The previous round of discussion took place two years ago in Lahore. According to reports, Pakistan will express its opposition to India’s controversial water projects on the Chenab River.
According to Indus Water Commissioner Mehr Ali Shah, Pakistan’s delegation will participate in the two-day discussion forum in New Delhi. Shah said that they will also discuss about the four controversial Indian hydroelectric projects during the session. He said, “We stand our stance with regard to four contentious Indian hydroelectric projects including Pakal Dul and Ratle power project”.
In spite of several rounds of discussions made in Lahore over the river water dispute between the two countries, so far, no progress was shown by the officials, and the discussions ended in deadlock. The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), which includes Indus commissioners from both countries, was created under the Indus Water Treaty.
According to the treaty, the three eastern river waters, the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, are reserved for India, while the three western rivers waters, the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, are reserved for Pakistan. The issue stems from Indian claims that it has unlimited rights to build hydroelectric power projects along western rivers.
Pradeep Saxena said, “We are committed towards full utilization of India’s rights under the Treaty and believe in amicable solution of issues through discussion.” Speaking about India’s hydropower projects in the Chenab river, Saxena said, “resolution will be reached on these issues. Both the Commissioners will also finalize the program of tours of the Commission on either side as well as schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year.”
