Date:30/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123011771500.htm

International

Pakistan proposes 'final' meeting on Baglihar project

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, DEC. 29. Pakistan has proposed a `final' meeting with India at the level of Water Secretaries in January to resolve the differences on construction of the Baglihar hydroelectric project. It said it intended to approach the World Bank for arbitration if India failed to address its concerns on the project's design and other parameters.

The proposal was conveyed at the just-concluded second round of the composite dialogue between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries. New Delhi has promised to get back to Islamabad soon on possible dates for the `final' meeting.

During the talks, the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riaz Khokar, conveyed to his Indian counterpart, Shyam Saran, Islamabad's concern over the continuing construction work on the project and again asked India to stop it.

"In the absence of any results [in the `final' meeting], Pakistan will be obliged to approach the World Bank to intervene in the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty," Mr. Khokar said.

Bone of contention

The Baglihar project has been the bone of contention between India and Pakistan for several years now. Islamabad has objected to the design of the dam saying it would adversely affect the flow of the Indus. India has consistently maintained that the design does not violate the Indus Water Treaty provisions.

Both sides have held several rounds of talks but failed to reach any agreement. On November 15, India provided additional data to Pakistan to allay its apprehensions and expressed its readiness for another round of negotiations.

The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has stood the test of the time. It provides for `third party arbitration' in case of a dispute on any aspect related to sharing of the river waters.

Pakistan has apprised the World Bank of its objections over the Baglihar dam and sought its good offices to persuade India to modify the design. If Pakistan decides to invoke the arbitration clause and ask the World Bank to mediate on Baglihar, it will be for the first time that any side will be involving a third party in resolution of a dispute over the provisions of the Treaty.