Pakistan, India fail to reach agreement at Indus Water Treaty talks

WASHINGTON: Pakistan and India failed to reach an agreement during the latest round of talks between India and Pakistan on Indus Water Treaty, the World Bank said in a statement, assuring that both the countries will continue to work to resolve water issues in an amicable manner. 

“While an agreement has not been reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the Treaty provisions,” the World Bank said in a statement.

“Both countries and the World Bank appreciated the discussions and reconfirmed their commitment to the preservation of the Treaty,” the World Bank said after the conclusion of the Secretary-level discussions between the two South Asian neighbours on the technical issues of the Kishenganga and Rattle hydroelectric power plants within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The two-day discussion took place at the World Bank headquarters in Washington on September 14-15.

“The World Bank remains committed to acting in good faith and with complete impartiality and transparency in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Treaty while continuing to assist the countries,” the bank said in its statement.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Water Resources Division Arif Ahmed Khan along with Secretary of Water and Power Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, High Commissioner of Indus Waters Treaty Mirza Asif Baig and Joint Secretary of Water Syed Mehar Ali Shah.

The Indian delegation was led by the Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh with representatives from Ministry of External Affairs, Power, India’s Indus Water Commissioner and Central Water Commission.