Both sides have agreed to take the matter forward in the light of the outcome of such technical consultations.
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to the article by Maaz Gardezi of July 16 titled “Going beyond the Indus Waters Treaty”.
In it, the writer says that at the last Pakistan–India talks (May 12-13, 2011, Islamabad) on the Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project “the Indian delegation walked out of the room in the middle of the session”. This assertion is completely baseless.
On the contrary, the talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. We would like to draw your attention to the Joint Statement (dated May 13, 2011) issued after the talks wherein “both sides emphasised the need for an early and amicable resolution of the issue within the ambit of the Indus Waters Treaty. In order to address the concerns of both countries, it was agreed that the Indian side shall forward comprehensive technical data to Pakistan within a month”. In accordance with the understanding, the Indian side submitted the technical data for examination to Pakistan within the stipulated timeframe.
After examination of the data, the Pakistan side is required to furnish its views to the Indian side by September 15, 2011. Both the sides have also agreed to take the matter forward in the light of the outcome of such technical consultations and in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Janardan Singh
First Secretary
High Commission of India
Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2011.
