Islamabad: Pakistan has responded to a letter from India to initiate talks to review the Indus Waters Treaty, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday. India issued a notice to Pakistan for the first time earlier this year, seeking review and revision of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). six decades ago for matters relating to transboundary rivers.
“I can confirm that Pakistan has responded to the Indian letter on the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan is determined to implement the treaty in good faith and ensure its water security,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told the weekly briefing. committed to.”
When asked about the details of the Pakistani response, she said, “I would not like to add to media speculation. As I said, we have given a reply to India. I have nothing more to add.” The India Water Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 through the good offices of the World Bank, survived the vicissitudes of acrimonious relations between the countries.
In response to another question, Baloch said that Pakistan used the relevant channel of communication, where our Indus Commissioner sent a letter to his Indian counterpart. Reacting to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent remarks on Pakistan, he said these comments reflect the Indian leadership’s “unhealthy obsession” with Pakistan.
Asked about the participation of the Indian High Commissioners in the Iftar dinner hosted by the External Affairs Minister on March 30, he said that there is no need to read much into it. “It was an inter-religious iftar and the entire diplomatic corps was invited”.
He also said that the Cultural Advisor to the Prime Minister, Eng. Amir Mukam virtually participated in the SCO Ministers of Culture meeting hosted by India on 3 April and underlined the need to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation within the SCO framework to promote mutual understanding. “As an active member of the SCO, Pakistan will continue to participate in all SCO activities and will continue to contribute to their outcomes,” he added.
India on Monday hosted the 20th session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Culture Ministers’ Meeting, with Union Minister G Kishan Reddy promoting cultural cooperation and Emphasized the importance of dialogue. ,
Culture ministers from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting, the culture ministry said in a statement. India currently holds the presidency of the SCO. During their press briefing, the Baloch also expressed “deep concern” over the recent incidents of alleged communal violence and asked India to take strong action against extremists.