edited by: Pritha Mallick
Last Update: January 28, 2023, 23:39 IST
India and Pakistan signed the IWT in September 1960 after nine years of negotiations (PTI Photo)
Referring to Pakistan’s claim of violation of the treaty, Singh said India’s position is strong as water is allowed to flow as per the agreement despite construction of dams and other projects.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said India’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is strong as the water is allowed to flow into Pakistan as per the agreement and termed as baseless allegations of violations by the neighboring country.
“The Indus Water Treaty has a long history,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Kathua district. Jhelum, Chenab and Sindhu (Indus) to India, Pakistan and India was given control of the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej,” he explained.
He said that the Shahpur Kandi dam project on the Ravi river was closed by the previous governments for the last 40 years. “Because of this, unfortunately our share of water was also flowing across the border,” he said. He said that the first phase of the project is underway.
Similarly, the Ratle project in Kishtwar was hanging fire for the last eight years due to “excuses” by previous governments, Singh said. On the other hand, the Kishanganga project is also going on in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to Pakistan’s claim of violation of the treaty, Singh said India’s position is strong as the IWT mentions non-consumptive use. “Despite the construction of dams and other projects, the water is allowed to flow into Pakistan as per the agreement,” he said.
Singh further said that Pakistan was creating trouble without any reason and said “the concerned ministry has already taken up the issue with Pakistan”.
Singh’s statement was in the context of India issuing a notice to Pakistan on Friday, seeking review and amendment of the Indus Treaty in view of Islamabad’s “dogmatic attitude” on its implementation.
India has said that despite repeated attempts to find a mutually agreeable way forward through bilateral talks, Pakistan refused to discuss the issue during five meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission from 2017 to 2022.
After the standoff, the World The bank also announced the appointment of a neutral expert and chairman of the Court of Arbitration under two separate procedures to resolve differences on the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects.
However, India has maintained that such parallel consideration of similar issues is not covered under any provision of the IWT.
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