India Requests Pause on IWT Proceedings

Summary of News Article: India Requests a Pause in Ratle and Kishanganga Hydropower Disputes

India has formally requested Michel Lino, the neutral expert appointed by the World Bank, to pause proceedings regarding the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower disputes that have been ongoing since 2022. This request follows a recent decision by the Indian government to place the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.

Key Details:

• Neutral Expert: Michel Lino was appointed on October 13, 2022, under Article IX and Annexure F of the IWT to determine the compliance of the Kishanganga and Ratle projects with the treaty.
• Disputes Location: The Kishanganga project is situated on the Kishanganga River, while the Ratle project is on the Chenab River in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Pakistan's Opposition: Pakistan has strenuously opposed India's request for a pause, claiming that India is violating the IWT, particularly regarding minimum water flow requirements.
• Work Programme: The existing 2025 work program required Pakistan to submit a written counter memorial by August 7. An upcoming meeting with Lino was scheduled for November 17-22, which was significant for presenting arguments from both sides.
• Background Context: Following the attack in Pahalgam, India has emphasized that it will keep the IWT in abeyance until there is credible and irrevocable assurance from Pakistan regarding its stance on terrorism.
• Water Usage under IWT: The treaty stipulates that India has unrestricted use of the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi), whereas the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are primarily for Pakistan’s use.

Government Actions:

• India has undertaken two flushing exercises at its hydroelectric projects (Baglihar and Salal) to maintain effective power generation for the first time since their construction in the late 20th century, despite previous objections from Pakistan.
• In addition, India plans to construct a canal to divert water from the Indus river system to different Indian states.
• The Indian government is also aiming to fast-track several hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River, including Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW), with Pakal Dul being the first storage-based hydro project in the region.

Diplomatic Exchange:

• The Indian government officially notified Pakistan of its decision to put the IWT in abeyance via a letter dated April 24. Pakistan indicated a willingness to discuss these issues before Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7. However, India has not responded to proposals from Pakistan for dialogue.

Conclusion:

The tensions surrounding the IWT and the Kashmir hydropower projects reflect complex inter-state relations, highlighting water resource management under international frameworks and the intertwined issues of security and diplomacy between India and Pakistan.

Important Points:

• India has requested a pause in the IWT dispute proceedings initiated by the World Bank.
• Pakistan contests India's position regarding compliance with the treaty and has opposed the suspension of proceedings.
• The IWT delineates water usage rights between the two nations, assigning eastern rivers to India and western rivers to Pakistan.
• Significant upcoming meetings and phases in discussion are poised to affect the trajectory of these disputes.
• India's plans include direct measures to utilize water resources, indicating a proactive stance despite ongoing tensions.