Top officials from India and Pakistan on Wednesday concluded a meeting held to discuss two long-contested Indian dam projects on the Chenab River. During the meeting, India finally revealed some information documents related to 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai hydropower projects with Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) 1960.
Under the Indus Waters Treaty provisions, the two sides are required to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan. The meeting could not be held last year due to pandemic-related restrictions.
India also agreed to provide Pakistan with flood related data from time to time. It was also decided that the site of controversial Kishan Ganga hydropower project would be inspected by Pakistani experts soon. According to Pakistan’s Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mohammad Mehr Ali Shah, the meeting was good but difficult. Pakistan was finally able to succeed in making headway by raising its objections to the design of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai hydropower projects being constructed at the Chenab basin by India, he added.
The commissioner further declared that the Indian side provided some information, in writing, duly signed and stamped by them regarding the design of the aforementioned two projects. Pakistan would seek more information regarding the design [if required] as the country’s engineering experts will examine the information provided to us, he stated.
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According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions continued on the designs of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai. “Indian side held that these projects are fully compliant with the provisions of the treaty and provided technical data in support of its position. Pakistan side requested India for sharing of information on design of other Indian hydropower projects being planned to be developed. Indian side assured that the information will be supplied as and when required to be supplied under the provisions of the treaty,” read a press release issued by the Indian ministry.
During the meeting, , India agreed to get Kishan Ganga dam/project inspected by Pakistani experts. And similarly, Pakistan too allowed India to carry out inspection of Kotri barrage over the Indus under Article VIII (4) (c) of the IWT.
The ministry said that the talks were carried out in a cordial atmosphere and both sides expressed their commitment to meet frequently to resolve issues through bilateral discussions under the IWT. It was decided that the next PCIW meeting would be held in Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.
The two longtime rivals share the water of six rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty, a water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960. Under the agreement, the waters of the eastern rivers – the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi – have been allocated to India, while Pakistan has been given control over the three western rivers – the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.