India on World Bank: Dispute continues between India and Pakistan regarding the Indus Water Treaty. Meanwhile, India said that the World Bank does not have the right to appoint a neutral expert and decide to start the process of the Court of Arbitration.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said, “I don’t think they (the World Bank) are in a position to interpret this treaty for us.” This treaty has been done between two countries and our understanding of this treaty is that it has graded provisions. He told that India had sent a notice to Pakistan on 25 January to amend the Indus Water Treaty of September 1960.
What was the purpose?
Bagchi said that the purpose of giving notice for changes in the treaty is to provide an opportunity to Pakistan to hold inter-governmental talks within 90 days from the amendment. This notice was first sent to Pakistan because of its stand on compliance of the dispute settlement mechanism related to the implementation of this six-decade-old treaty.
‘There is no change in India’s attitude’
Spokesperson Bagchi said, “I am not yet aware of Pakistan’s stand. I am not even aware of the World Bank’s response or comment.” He said the World Bank had acknowledged two different procedural problems in this matter five-six years ago and there was no change in India’s stand on the matter. Is. It is to be known that India and Pakistan had signed the treaty in 1960 after nine years of talks. The World Bank was also among the signatories of this treaty.
What’s in the treaty?
According to this treaty, except for some exceptions, India can use the water of the eastern rivers without restriction. Under the provisions related to India, it (India) was given the right to use the water of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers for transport, electricity and agriculture. It is understood that India has sent this notice to Pakistan in view of the neighboring country’s stand on its stand on the resolution of differences on the issue related to Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. This notice has been sent under the provisions of Article 12 (3) of the Indus Water Treaty.
Can the Indus Water Treaty be in danger?
In 2015, Pakistan had requested the appointment of a neutral expert to investigate technical objections to the Indian Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. In the year 2016, Pakistan unilaterally withdrew from this request and proposed to take these objections to the Court of Arbitration. India had separately requested to send a neutral expert regarding this matter.
India believes that the simultaneous initiation of two processes on the same question and the possibility of inconsistent or contradictory results would create an unprecedented and legally untenable situation that could jeopardize the Indus Waters Treaty.
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