India,Pak begin high-level talks on Indus Waters Treaty

A two- day high-level talks between India and Pakistan on technical issues of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) begins in Washington today. 

A World Bank spokesperson said, these meetings are a continuation of a discussion on how to safeguard the Treaty for the benefit of the people in both the countries.He said, the meetings between two countries are taking place in Washington between September 14 and 15.

The World Bank in August had said that under the IWT, India is permitted



to construct hydroelectric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers with certain restrictions. 

However, Pakistan opposed the construction of the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants being built by India after the conclusion of secretary-level talks in August between the two countries on the IWT.The IWT was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.