Introduction
India
and Pakistan have agreed to undertake Indus water treaty 1960. It mandated tours by
their water commissioners in Indus basins on both sides to resolve issue
various hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. This was decided in recent
concluded high- level bilateral talks on Indus water treaty in Lahore, Pakistan.
The previous meeting of the Pakistan-India permanent Indus commission was held in new Delhi
in March during which both the sides had shared details of the water flow and
the quantum of water being used under the 1960 Indus water treaty.
Bilateral talks 2018
Technical
discussion was held on implementation of several hydroelectric projects under
the provisions of Indus water treaty including Pakal Dul (1000MW) and Lower Kalnai (48MW) in Jammu and Kashmir. India has invited Pakistan experts to visit
of pakal dul and lower kanai hydropower projects on Chenab river in September 2018
to address it concerns over construction of the projects. During the talks Indian
rejected Pakistan’s objection to the construction work and has hinted at the
continuation of the work on both the hydropower projects. Deliberation further talked
about the strengthening the role of permanent Indus commission (PIC) UNDER 1960
Treaty.
What was the Pakistan’s demand?
Pakistan
has been demanding reduction of height of Pakal Dul’s reservoir up to five meters,
maintenance of 40- metre height above sea level and making spillways gates of
Pakal Dul project. Besides it is also asked for clarification of pattern and
mechanism for water storage, releases and some technical concerns over design
of lower kalnai hydropower project from India.
Indus Water History Background
the Indus
Water Treaty is a water treaty between the India and Pakistan. The treaty was
signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by the Indian prime minster Jawaharlal Nehru
and president of Pakistan field marshal Mohammad Ayyub khan. The world bank is a signatory as a third
party.
Provisions of the treaty
The Indus
system of river comprised three Western rivers
– the
Indus the Jhelum and Chenab and three Eastern rivers- the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi. Western Rivers come under Pakistan, and
with minor exception, the treaty gives India exclusive use of all the waters of
the eastern rivers and their tributaries before the point where the rivers
enter Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani has exclusive use of the western rivers. Pakistan
also received one-time financial compensation for the loss of water from eastern
rivers.
The countries
agree to exchange data and co-operate in matters related to the treaty. For this
purpose, treaty creates the permanent Indus commission, with a commissioner who
will be appointed by each country.
