Question : BAGHLIHAR HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT

(a) whether the recent talks between India and Pakistan on Baghlihar Hydro-Electric Project on Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir ended in a stalemate;

(b) if so, the points of difference between the two sides;

(c) whether Pakistan has petitioned the World Bank to appoint a ‘Neutral Expert’ to go into the dispute with India over the project due to failure of the last round of talks;

(d) if so, whether World Bank has examined Pakistan’s request;

(e) if so, the steps taken by the World Bank in this regard;

(f) whether India has objected to the proposal;

(g) if so, whether the World Bank has considered India’s stand on the issue; and

(h) if so, the reaction of World Bank thereon?

THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI)

(a) to (h) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (h) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †143. FOR ANSWER ON 14.03.2005 REGARDING BAGHLIHAR HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT

(a) During the recent meeting between India and Pakistan at Secretary level held at New Delhi in January, 2005, there appeared to be a possibility of convergence on some of the technical issues raised by Pakistan and accordingly, the Indian Secretary requested for further discussions for one week between technical experts of the two countries after which the Secretary level meeting could resume. Pakistan agreed to this suggestion provided India agrees to first suspend the work of project, which is not provided for in the Treaty and was not acceptable to us.

(b) It is India’s view that the stage of points of difference has not yet arisen. However, Pakistan has been expressing that the design of the project violates certain provisions of the Treaty while India has held that the design fully conforms to the provisions of the Treaty.

(c) Unfortunately, Pakistan has ignored the bilateral process provided in the Treaty and has approached the World Bank on the 15th January, 2005 expressing that differences have arisen.

(d) & (e) The World Bank sent a copy of the communication from Pakistan and requested India to provide any information it wishes to consider in connection with Pakistan’s request, by 28th February, 2005.

(f) India has submitted to the Bank that the situation envisaged in the Treaty for recourse to the Bank to make a valid appointment of a Neutral Expert has yet not arisen and accordingly, the Bank should refrain from making such an appointment leaving the parties to settle remaining issues through mutual cooperative discussions in good faith or otherwise in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the Treaty.

(g) & (h) The World Bank has not so far responded on India’s stand.