Water talks under way between Pak, India

LAHORE: The water commissioners of India and Pakistan started their first round of talks in Lahore on Thursday.

Ahead of these talks, Pakistan and India rejected each other’s nominees for the Court of Arbitration which will adjudicate on a dispute over the Kishanganga hydropower project.

Two months ago, Pakistan had requested for arbitration on the disputed Kishanganga project which violates the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. Pakistan contended that having the drainage at the very base of the dam will allow India to manipulate the water flow.

Pakistan and India will follow the settlement mechanism outlined in the treaty to settle the dispute.

Kishanganga is the first case of arbitration under the treaty since 1960.