India, Pak discuss execution of Indus Water Treaty projects

India and Pakistan held technical discussions on the implementation of various hydroelectric projects under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 in the 115th meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission (PIC). The meeting was held in Lahore on August 29 and 30.

The Indian delegation led by Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters PK Saxena, held deliberations with Pakistani officials on the execution of the projects under the treaty, including Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a statement of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) read.

"Both the countries agreed to undertake the Treaty mandated tours of both the Indus commissioners in Indus basin on both sides. Deliberations were also held on further strengthening the role of the PIC for matters under the treaty," it added.

Both sides agreed to hold the next PIC meeting in India on mutually convenient dates, according to the MEA.

The PIC was formed under the Indus Waters Treaty that was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. It includes the Indus commissioners of both the countries. The treaty provides for both the commissioners to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan.

The treaty specifies that the waters of three eastern rivers, namely Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, had been reserved for India, while that of western rivers, namely Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, are for Pakistan. However, India has unrestricted rights to develop hydroelectric power projects on the western rivers within the specified parameters of the design.

While Pakistan, on the one hand, contends that the design of two under-construction hydroelectric projects of India in Chenab basin, namely Pakal Dul (1000MW) and Lower Kalnai (48MW), violate the treaty's provisions, on the other hand, India affirms its right to build these projects and holds that their design is fully in compliance of set guidelines.

The previous meeting of the PIC was held in New Delhi on March 29 and 30 this year.