Indo-Pak talks on Kishenganga inconclusive
02 June, 2005
NEW DELHI, June 03 (Online): Talks between India and Pakistan to resolve differences on the 330 MW Kishenganga Hydro-power project being built on Jhelum river in Jammu and Kashmir remained inconclusive as the Pakistani delegation was to return to Islamabad in view of some developments there.
Indus Water Commissioner D K Mehta, who is leading the Indian side, said that the parleys were "comprehensive" and there was "positive movement". He said the talks could not continue as his Pakistani counterpart Jamiat Ali Shah was to rush to Pakistan in view of some developments, reported PTI.
However, sources said Pakistan Indus Commissioner was to rush to his country in view of the proposed talks on June nine by the World Bank neutral expert on Baglihar dam project.
World Bank expert Raymond Lafitte would hold his first meeting with India and Pakistan in Paris on June nine and ten to address differences between the two countries on Baglihar project being constructed on the Chenab river.
Observing that the two sides have decided to continue talks from where it was left, Mehta said out of six topics, the two day talks covered four topics.
The issues of inter-tributary transfer of waters and protection of the then existing agricultural and hydrological use of Pakistan would be discussed in the next meeting, he added.
The two-day talks of Indus Water Commissioners from India and Pakistan had begun Wednesday in the backdrop of New Delhi's assertion that it was ready to consider "practical modifications and changes" in the design of the project if Pakistan substantiated its objections that it violated the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.
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