World Bank pauses Indus treaty processes

New Delhi: In a significant development, the World Bank has paused the separate processes initiated by India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty to allow the two countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements.

Reacting to the decision regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle projects under the Indus Treaty — of launching two simultaneous processes for appointment of a neutral expert (as requested by India) and establishment of a Court of Arbitration (as requested by Pakistan),—  New Delhi on Tuesday made it clear that India’s stand was vindicated.

The ministry of external affairs said, “The government had pointed out on November 10, the legal untenability of the World Bank launching two simultaneous processes for appointment of a neutral expert and establishment of a Court of Arbitration to adjudicate technical differences between India and a Pakistan on Kishenganga and Ratle projects.

“By temporarily halting both the processes now, the Bank has confirmed that pursuing the two concurrent processes can render the Treaty unworkable over time. India remains fully conscious of her international obligations and is ready to engage in further consultations on the matter of resolving current differences regarding these two (Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric) projects.”

Last month, India had refused to be party to the earlier decision of the World Bank on the dispute between India and Pakistan on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in J&K wherein the World Bank has accepted Pakistan’s request for establishment of a Court of Arbitration while also accepting India’s request for appointment of a neutral expert. India felt that proceeding with two parallel mechanisms is “legally untenable” under the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries and was examining further options.

In the November 10 statement, the MEA had said, “'Under the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan and also the World Bank in 1960, the World Bank has a specified role in the process of resolution of differences and disputes. On the issue of differences between India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, India had asked the World Bank to appoint a neutral expert to resolve the differences which are within the domain of a neutral technical expert.