India, Pak hold talks on river water sharing, exchanging data
Press Trust of India / New Delhi May 31, 2010, 17:16 IST
India and Pakistan today discussed issues of river water sharing and exchange of data including that related to flood warning here.
The three-day talks between the Indus Commissioners would also focus on finalising the annual report and work out the programme for the next year as per the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.
Source said before the talks began, Pakistani team expressed its desire to visit the 240 MW Uri II project and the 44 MW Chutak hydel project on Suru, a tributary of the Indus in Kargil district.
Pakistan claims that the construction of the Chutak project would block 35,000-feet per acre water.
On Uri II, Pakistan claims that under the Indus Treaty, it was given a certain time period to respond to the designs of the projects, but India had started construction work before the deadline for Islamabad's response.
Sources said, as a "goodwill gesture" India was ready to share advance flood data with Pakistan as the monsoon approaches.
India had been providing Pakistan with advance flood warning for the past several years to enable it lessen damages in case of flash floods.
The nine-member Pakistani delegation, led by Water Commissioner Syed Jamat Ali Shah, arrived here on Saturday night. Indus Water Commissioner G Ranganathan is leading the talks from Indian side.
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