‘INDIA, PAK FAIL TO REACH A DEAL AT INDUS WATER TREATY TALKS’

The latest round of talks between India and Pakistan on Indus Water Treaty (IWT) concluded without reaching an agreement, the World Bank has said even as it assured that both countries will continue to work to resolve the issues in an amicable manner.

“Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty,” the World Bank said after the conclusion of the secretary-level discussions between the two South Asian neighbours on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants within the IWT framework.

The two-day discussion took place at the World Bank headquarters on September 14-15.

The IWT was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Bank’s role in relation to “differences” and “disputes” is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union water resources secretary Amarjit Singh and had representatives from ministry of external affairs, power, India’s Indus Water Commissioner and Central Water Commission.

The Pakistani delegation was led by secretary, water resources division, Arif Ahmed Khan along with secretary of water and power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, joint secretary of water Syed Mehar Ali Shah and IWT high commissioner Mirza Asif Baig.

THE TREATY WAS SIGNED IN 1960 AFTER NINE YEARS OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS WITH THE HELP OF WORLD BANK, WHICH IS ALSO A SIGNATORY