India-Pakistan
India tells Pakistan its hydropower projects are compliant with Indus Waters Treaty
New Delhi, Mar 3 (UNI) India and Pakistan held three days of water sharing talks in Islamabad, during which the Indian side stressed that all its hydropower projects are fully compliant with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The 117th Meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), composed of Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan, was held from March 1-3, in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Indian delegation was led by PK Saxena, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters.
“During the meeting, technical discussions were held regarding on-going projects including Pakal Dul, Kiru and Lower Kalnai. The Indian side underscored that all its projects are fully compliant with the provisions of the Treaty and provided technical details in support of its position,” an official statement said.
Pakal Dal is being built on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab river, in Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. The Lower Kalnai project is being built in Kishtwar and Doda districts, while Kiru is a run-of-the-river scheme being developed over the Chenab River in Kishtwar Tehsil.
The Indus Commission discussed the exchange of hydrological and flood data. Both sides discussed the issue of the Fazilka drain, and Pakistan assured that all necessary actions will continue to be taken to ensure the free flow of Fazilka drain into the river Sutlej, the statement said. Regarding Fazilka drain, India had said that free flow of water of Fazal Ka nullah is not being done because of some hindrances from the Pakistan side. India also said that under the Indus Waters Treaty, free movement of water flow is imperative otherwise the water flows back and destroys large tracts in India during floods.
The Pakistan side said that the Punjab Irrigation Department would respond on this issue and the Indian side will be informed accordingly, a Pakistani media report said on Wednesday. The meeting was held in a cordial manner.
Both the Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to interact more frequently in an attempt to resolve issues through bilateral discussions under the Treaty. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PIC in New Delhi on mutually convenient dates. Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (Treaty), signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, the two Commissioners are required to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan. The last meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held from March 23-24, 2021 in New Delhi. UNI RN
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