India welcomes the decision on the competence of the Neutral Expert to address issues regarding IWT

India has welcomed the decision on the competence of the Neutral Expert to address issues related to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, was signed between India and Pakistan to determine the distribution of water from the Indus River and its tributaries.

Key Provisions of the Treaty

• Allocation: The treaty allocates the three Eastern Rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej) to India and the three Western Rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum) to Pakistan. It also permits each country to use water from the rivers allocated to the other under certain conditions.
• Hydroelectric Power: India is allowed to build hydroelectric facilities on the Western rivers, with design constraints specified in the treaty.

Settlement of Differences and Disputes

The treaty outlines a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism:

1. Permanent Indus Commission: A platform for direct negotiations between the two countries.
2. Neutral Expert: Appointed by the World Bank to resolve technical disagreements.
3. Court of Arbitration (PCA): A higher level option to address issues that cannot be resolved through the previous steps.

Present Dispute

• Background: The current dispute concerns the design features of the Kishenganga (330 MW) and Ratle (850 MW) hydroelectric power plants, both located in India on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, respectively.
• Opposing Views: In 2016, Pakistan called for adjudication by the Court of Arbitration, while India preferred the involvement of the Neutral Expert for adjudication.

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