Pakistan delegation in J&K to inspect power projects under Indus Water Treaty

A five-member Pakistani delegation was flown to Jammu’s Kishtwar on Monday to inspect power projects set up on the rivers covered under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960. It is the first such visit since Jammu & Kashmir’s special status was scrapped in 2019.

An official said the delegation reached Kishtwar district on Monday “to inspect two hydroelectric power projects under the IWT”. The Pakistani delegates had arrived on Sunday evening.

Also read: How the Indus Treaty was signed

The delegates from India, Pakistan and neutral experts from the World Bank visited the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) headquarters in Kishtwar. The 850 megawatts (MW) Ratle hydroelectric power project site at Drabshalla and the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul project on river Marusudar will be inspected in coming days. Both these projects are over a tributary of the Chenab river, officials said.

In September 2023, the neutral expert from the World Bank on India’s request organised a meeting under IWT. Senior advocate Harish Salve, India’s lead counsel, pleaded India’s case regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle projects, which are set up on the Chenab and the Kishenganga rivers.

The latest visit comes in the backdrop of Pakistan’s repeated technical objection to the Kishanganga (330 MW) and Ratle hydroelectric projects. India has objected to Pakistan’s bid to hold “parallel proceedings by an illegally constituted Court of Arbitration on the same set of issues pertaining to the Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro-Electric Projects”.

The Jammu & Kashmir government official has appointed 25 liaison officers for the neutral experts and the delegates from India and Pakistan. The delegates will stay in Jamu & Kashmir till June 28. Officials said an Indian delegation will join the Pakistani delegation for a joint inspection of several power projects. The two countries are working towards “resolving outstanding issues through coordination and dialogue”, officials said.

So far, Pakistan has formally raised objections over 1,000 MW Pakal Dul and 48 MW Lower Kalnai hydropower projects. It has flagged its objections to other projects in the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, which include 10 hydroelectric power projects of Durbuk Shyok, Nimu Chilling, Kiru, Tamasha, Kalaroos-II, Baltikulan Small, Kargil Hunderman, Phagla, Kulan Ramwari and Mandi.

Under the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, India has full rights over three eastern rivers of Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej and Pakistan was granted rights over three western rivers of Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. However, India is allowed a limited use of the western rivers for domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural purposes.