BackIndia, Pakistan hold Indus water talks
Pakistan has expressed concerns over construction of Kishanganga Dam as well as four other proposed dams by India on the Chenab river
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Lahore: The second round of talks between Pakistani and Indian water authorities were held on Monday in which they discussed the disputed issues under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan’s Indus Waters Treaty commissioner Asif Baig Mirza is heading the Pakistani team while the 10-member Indian delegation is led by K. Vohra. Mirza said the annual formal talks with the Indian delegation started on Sunday and would continue till 27 August.
“Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over construction of Kishanganga Dam and termed it a clear violation by India of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Four other proposed dams by India on the Chenab are also be in violation of the treaty," he said. Pakistan has also raised objections to the diversion of Chenab water by India by constructing hydropower projects, including the 690 MW Ratli Dam, 1,000 MW Pikkal Dam, 1,190 MW Karthai Dam and 600 MW Kero Dam. It has termed “a clear violation of the treaty".
“We have also raised objections over design of the Kishanganga Dam that may reduce the required water discharges to Pakistan and it will be a violation of the IWT," Mirza said, adding the Indian officials had also been urged to change the dam’s design.
“We are discussing the disputed issues in detail to resolve them amicably in next rounds of meeting," he said. Pakistan on Monday also raised the issue of five controversial under-construction dams in Jammu and Kashmir. Both teams will address the media after conclusion of the talks on 27 August. PTI
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