Pakistan and India are to hold three-day "way forward" parley on 850MW Ratle hydroelectric and 330MW Kishanganga hydroelectric projects starting from April 12, 2017 in Washington under the auspices of the World Bank. This was disclosed by the Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Asif at a press conference, flanked by Secretary Water and Power, Younus Dagha who will head the Pakistani delegation in talks with India. The World Bank''''s Vice President will personally attend the talks.
Water and Power Minister came to address a press conference when talks between Indus Water Commissioners of Pakistan and India were in progress on the designs of three proposed hydroelectric projects i.e. Pakal Dul, Lower Kalnai and Miya in Held Kashmir and flood supply data. India has not shared designs of the three hydroelectric projects.
The World Bank wanted to host Secretary-level talks in Dubai between Pakistan and India however Pakistan proposed that the venue be World Bank headquarters Washington.
Khawaja Asif reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is one of the world''''s agreements that provide an amicable solution to serious water issues between Pakistan and India. He expressed the hope that things will move in a positive direction as a result of the meeting between Permanent Indus Commissioners of Pakistan and India.
Pakistani team is led by Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Beg whereas a 10-member Indian delegation is led by Indian Indus Water Commissioner P. P. Saxena. Issues like future visits of under construction projects and next date of talks will come under discussion.
"I am happy to reveal that talks on the Indus Waters Treaty have been resumed with the efforts of Government of Pakistan. Former US Secretary of State, John Kerry and the World Bank President played a pivotal role in bringing the two parties to the table," he added.
According to Minister for Water and Power, dialogue relating to the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended in 2015 and is now taking place after almost a two-year break. He said outstanding problems relating to the Indus Basin will be discussed during the two-day meeting.
Khawaja Asif said the meeting will discuss design aspects of Pakal Dul, Lower Kalnai and Miyar hydroelectric plants as well as flood data supply by India. He said that Pakistan had opted for arbitration after talks between Water and Power Secretaries of the two countries failed in New Delhi on July 15, 2016. Water and Power Minister said that Court of Arbitration has already given a verdict on Kishanganga hydroelectric project in favour of Pakistan and "we are demanding implementation of the decision". Ratle hydroelectric project is in initial stage and Pakistan has objections on its design. Both the disputes have been taken up with the World Bank.
In the past, substantial delay was witnessed in talks due to which Pakistan''''s interests were badly affected. "Pakistan has crossed all milestones on Ratle hydroelectric project in just one and half months. Pakistan''''s position on this project is very strong and we are in a position to get changes in the design of the project which would be in Pakistan''''s interests and also in accordance with the Treaty," he added.
"Pakistan made all out efforts to continue talks on other issues but India did not express any willingness. We are happy that finally India has agreed to resume talks at the level of the Indus Water Commission under the Treaty," he continued.
Pakistan has invariably adopted the stance that the IWT is one of those international pacts which provide ways to settle serious water issues through peaceful means. The sanctity of this agreement and settlement of issues through this mechanism is beneficial for the two countries, the Minister added.
He further stated that India insists on appointment of Neutral Expert but Pakistan''''s stand is that issues should be settled through Court of Arbitration. "Due to this impasse, the US intervened at the highest level and World Bank''''s delegation also visited Pakistan aimed at easing tensions," he added.
Khawaja Asif avoided accusing any formal official of Pakistan Indus Water Commission for not properly pursuing the case of Kishanganga hydroelectric project, saying that he does not wish to start another controversy in the media. Talking about proposed Secretary level talks in Washington, Water and Power Minister said that Pakistan would be in a position to protect its rights on Ratle hydroelectric project, adding that Pakistan''''s stand has not been negated at any level.
Answering another question, Minister for Water and Power said that he would not speculate on the outcome of the talks on water issues but hopes that all issues will ultimately lead to a resumption of the composite dialogue. "We want that India should share design of three proposed projects and if the design hurts Pakistan''''s interests then objections will be raised at the appropriate forum. It is our right. Since the IWT was signed 116 visits regarding inspections of projects have been undertaken so far," he maintained. In reply to another question, he said that 969 Neelum-Jehlum hydroelectric project will be operational by March 2018.
Comments
Comments are closed.