Question : Indus Water Treaty

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether India has suggested some alternative ways to the visiting World Bank representative for resolving its dispute with Pakistan over the Indus Water Treaty;

(b) if so, the reaction of the World Bank thereto;

(c) whether Pakistan has also sought the support of the U.S. on the implementation of the Indus Water Treaty with India;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Indian Government thereto and the initiative taken by the U.S. administration; and

(e) the extent to which the World Bank has agreed to the ways suggested by India in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a), (b) & (e) India had conveyed to the World Bank that technical questions pertaining to projects under the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan shall be addressed in accordance with the Treaty in the bilateral Permanent Indus Commission, and by a Neutral Expert in the event that the Permanent Indus Commission is unable to resolve them. This position was reiterated to the visiting World Bank representative last month in the ongoing consultations with the Bank on this matter.

(c) & (d) The Government cannot comment on discussions between Pakistan and the USA in this regard.