India and Pakistan hold high level talks on technical issues: Indus Waters Treaty
High-level talks on technical issues of the Indus Waters Treaty are held between India and Pakistan in Washington, a senior World Bank official said.
“These meetings are a continuation of a discussion on how to safeguard the Treaty for the benefit of the people in both countries,” a World Bank spokesperson said.
Under the IWT, India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab with certain restrictions, The World Bank had said in August.
Pakistan is against the construction of the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power plants being built by India. The same was disclosed in a factsheet issued at the conclusion of secretary-level talks between the two countries over the IWT.
After nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory, the IWT was signed in 1960.
The World Bank’s role in relation to “differences” and “disputes” is limited to the designation of people to fulfilling certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties, the factsheet said.
-PTC News
