India, Pakistan Indus water talks end on a positive note
India and Pakistan on Tuesday finalised and signed the annual report of the Permanent Indus Commission for the year which ended on March 31, 2022.
The report was finalised at the two-day 118th Permanent Indus Commission meeting in New Delhi between the two countries which concluded on Tuesday.
An Indian Ministry of External Affairs release said that the meeting was held in a cordial manner and the Commission appreciated the commitment of the two sides to interact frequently and resolve issues through bilateral discussions under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PIC in Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.
The meeting, which is held annually under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960, began on Monday with a six-member Pakistani delegation visiting India to participate in the event.
The Indus talks have survived the freeze in ties as both countries see it as mandatory under the IWT.
As per the provisions of the IWT 1960 between India and Pakistan over sharing of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin , both the countries are to have Indus Commissioners, and the Permanent Indus Commission is to meet at least once every year, alternatively in India and Pakistan.
Of the six rivers in the Indus Basin, India has complete rights over three eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi, while Pakistan has
rights over the western rivers — Chenab, Jhelum and Indus.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, under the provi
sions of the treaty, the two sides are required to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan. — ani