Pakistan and India on Thursday began two-day talks related to Indus Water Treaty (IWT) – a World Bank-brokered treaty signed in 1960 between the two neighbors to retain their respective jurisdiction over waters of three rivers each – in New Delhi.
From Pakistan, a six-member delegation led by the Country’s Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah participated in the talks while a delegation led by the India’s Indus Waters Commissioner P K Saxena represented the Host Country.
Amid tense border situation, exchange of terror-related accusations against each other, recent diplomatic scuffle over harassment of Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi, Kashmir & water disputes, and Indian intention to review the continuation of the Indus Water Treaty – the bilateral talks over IWT were described as “forward moving” by one of Pakistani officials while talking to India Today.
In addition to that, Pakistani official also said that the meeting also indicates that “health of IWT is intact” despite the Indian plan to construct dams over waters flowing in Pakistan-controlled Rivers – Indus, Chenab and Jhelum – and New Delhi’s denial to accept the treaty as it was now.
