(Image source from: Dnaindia.com)

India, Pak Start High-Level Talks On Indus Waters Treaty:- According to a senior World Bank official, India and Pakistan in Washington have started high-level talks on the technical issues of the of the Indus Waters Treaty on Thursday night.

“These meetings are a continuation of a discussion on how to safeguard the Treaty for the benefit of the people in both countries,” a World Bank spokesperson told a leading news channel. The spokesperson added that the meetings between India and Pakistan on the technical issues of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) are taking place in Washington on September 14-15.

(Image Source: Indialivetoday.com)

The World Bank in August had said that India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers with certain restrictions, under the IWT. The construction of the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power plants being built by India has been opposed by Pakistan. It had said in a fact sheet issued at the conclusion of secretary-level talks between the two countries over the IWT.

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

(Image Source: The Nation)

The role of World Bank in relation to “differences” and “disputes” is limited to the designation of people to fulfill certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties, the fact sheet said.

SUPRAJA