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India, Pakistan conclude water talks; next meeting in Delhi

Deliberations were also held on further strengthening the role of the PIC for matters under the treaty, the statement added.

India, Pakistan conclude water talks; next meeting in Delhi

Representational Image (Photo: Getty Images)

India and Pakistan concluded their two-day talks on the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT), which was the first engagement between the two countries after the Imran Khan government assumed office in Islamabad on 18 August. The water talks were held on August 29-30.

A brief statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry at the end of the 115th meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in Lahore on Thursday evening said the two countries agreed to undertake the treaty mandated tours of both the Indus Commissioners in Indus basin on both sides.

Deliberations were also held on further strengthening the role of the PIC for matters under the treaty, the statement added.

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The nine-member Indian delegation was led by Commissioner for Indus Waters P K Saxena while the Pakistani side was headed by Commissioner for Indus Water Mehar Ali Shah.

As per the provisions of the IWC, technical discussions were held on implementation of various hydroelectric projects under the provisions of treaty, including Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai(48 MW) in Jammu and Kashmir.

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PIC in India on mutually convenient dates.

Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, meanwhile, said India agreed to get its two hydro-power projects inspected by Pakistani experts.

New Delhi also assured Pakistan of taking up its concerns on two projects seriously by resolving them amicably in the light of technical memorandums to be prepared and exchanged by the two countries in the next meeting to be held in New Delhi. However, this was not confirmed by the Indian side.

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