Monday, December 16, 2024
spot_img

India seeks review of Indus Water Treaty, serves notice to Pakistan

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

New Delhi, Sep 18: India has served a formal notice to Pakistan seeking a review and modification of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) citing “fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances” that require a reassessment of obligations, government sources confirmed on Wednesday.

Under the Indus Waters Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, waters of three rivers – Ravi, Sutlej and Beas – averaging around 33 Million Acre Feet (MAF) were allocated to India for exclusive use. The waters of Western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – averaging to around 135 MAF were allocated to Pakistan except for specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India as provided in the Treaty.

In the notice that was served to Pakistan on August 30 this year, India highlighted that, under Article XII(3) of the IWT, its provision may from time to time be modified by a duly ratified Treaty concluded for that purpose between the two governments.

“India’s notification highlights fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of obligations under various Articles of the Treaty. Among various concerns, important ones include change in population demographics; environmental issues – need to accelerate development of clean energy to meet India’s emission targets; impact of persistent cross border terrorism, etc,” the source mentioned.

The notification was issued in the background of a separate prolonged controversy with respect to Kishanganga and Ratle Hydro Projects. “In this regard, the World Bank has simultaneously activated both the Neutral Expert mechanism and the Court of Arbitration on the same set of issues.

The Indian side has, therefore, also called for reconsideration of the dispute resolution mechanism under the Treaty. With this Notification, India has called Pakistan to begin government-to-government negotiations in order to review the Treaty under the provisions of Article XII(3),” the official mentioned.

IANS

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Residents flag overloading of hay trucks

SHILLONG, Dec 15: Residents of Mawtawar-Mawsiatkham have raised concerns over the overloading of pickup trucks transporting hay. The residents...

When Humans, Animals, and Celestial Bodies Still Communicate

By H H Mohrmen They call the beginning of time ‘myndang lung ka pyrthei’ (when the Earth was still...

Billie Eilish gets hit during concert after fan throws object at her

Grammy winning-singer Billie Eilish got hit by a necklace from the crowd during a concert in Arizona. A...

Mallika reveals the secret to her ‘million bucks’ look

Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat’s secret to looking youthful is leading a “satvik disciplined life” devoid of late night...