NEW DELHI: The annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) comprising of Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan was held on March 23-24, says an Indian Ministry of External Affairs communique.
Pakistan sought information on design of Indian hydropower projects being planned to be developed. The Indian commission assured that the information will be provided under the provisions of the treaty.
Discussions were held on the designs of two Indian projects, Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW). Indian side held that these projects are fully compliant with the provisions of the treaty and provided technical data in support of its position.
The meeting was held in a cordial manner. Both the commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to interact more frequently in an attempt to resolve the issues by bilateral discussions under the treaty. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the commission in Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.
Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, the two commissioners are required to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan. The meeting could not be held last year due to restrictions induced by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The Pakistan delegation was led by its Indus Commissioner Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah, while the Indian delegation by PK Saxena. The meeting was held after a gap of nearly two-and-a-half-years. The last time the two sides met was in August 2018 in Lahore.
