ISLAMABAD: A 10-member delegation of the Indus Water Commission from India arrived in Lahore on Monday to hold talks with Pakistani officials on water disputes and hydropower projects.
The delegation, headed by Indian Water Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Saxena, reached Pakistan via the Wagah border crossing. The team will head to Islamabad for holding talks over water disputes during their three-day visit. Both sides will hold talks over contentious water projects in Islamabad on Tuesday (tomorrow).
The Permanent Indus Commission will hold its annual meeting in the federal capital Islamabad from March 1-3. The Pakistani side will be led by Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehar Ali Shah.
According to the agenda of the meeting, the discussions will focus on Pakistan’s objections to Indian hydroelectric projects namely Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Lower Kalnai (48 MW) and Kiru (624 MW) in Chenab basin in Jammu and Kashmir and some small hydroelectric projects in Ladakh.
The previous meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission was held in New Delhi on 23-24 March last year. The Pakistan side reiterated its objections to Indian water projects including Pakal Dul, Lower Kulnai, Durbuk Shyok and Nimu Chilling.
Pakistan asked India to share data of water flows as per the provisions of the IWT following the practice since 1989. The Pakistani side emphasized the importance of early resolution of the outstanding issues in accordance with the provisions of the IWT. Both sides agreed to make endeavours to resolve the issues and conduct inspection tours.
READ MORE: Pakistan, India to discuss hydropower projects on March 1
Pakistan has raised objections on Indian hydroelectric projects namely Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Lower Kalnai (48 MW) and Kiru (624 MW) in Chenab basin in Jammu and Kashmir, and a few small hydroelectric projects in Ladakh under Article 9 of the Waters Treaty which would again be deliberated. Pakistan would also seek Indian commitment for sharing water flows data ahead of the next flood season.
According to the treaty, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run-of-the-river projects on the western rivers subject to specific criteria for design and operation. The pact also gives the right to Pakistan to raise objections to designs of Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers. Pakistan has raised objections to the design of these projects.
Under the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960, waters of eastern rivers Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, amounting to around 33 million acre-feet (MAF) annually were allocated to India for unrestricted use.
The waters of western rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, amounting to around 135 MAF annually were assigned largely to Pakistan. However, India is permitted to construct the run-of-the-river plants on western rivers with limited storage as per criteria specified in the treaty. Under the provisions of Article VIII(5) of the Indus Waters Treaty, the Permanent Indus Commission is required to meet regularly at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan.
