M A I N   N E W S

Indus Waters Treaty
To ensure no water is diverted, Pak team to visit Chenab basin
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

A file picture of the Chenab basin.

Shimla, September 16
A Pakistani delegation will visit the Chenab basin in Himachal Pradesh on September 20 to see that there is no diversion of the river waters.

During the visit, the first-ever since the Indus Waters Treaty was signed between former Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pakistani President Ayub Khan in Karachi on September 19, 1960, the team will ascertain that diversions have not been created to obstruct or divert the flow of the river, denying Pakistan the water, which, under the treaty, must be allowed to flow unhindered.

First such visit A Pakistani delegation will be visiting HP for the first time to ascertain that diversions have not been created to obstruct or divert the flow of the Indus, denying Pakistan its share of water The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between Jawaharlal Nehru Ayub Khan in Karachi on September 19, 1960, under which either side can seek inspection of a basin area

The visit coincides with the 54th anniversary of the treaty. The Union Ministry of Water Resources has informed the Himachal Government about the Pakistani team’s visit.

“The Pakistani delegation will arrive in Manali from where they are scheduled to travel to Lahaul and other parts (of the state) where they wish to visit,” said Sushil Negi, Principal Secretary, Personnel and Power. The team is likely to be accompanied by senior Central and state officials.

Pakistan had recently accused India of trying to divert the river water, denying its farmers unhindered flow. It has also sought satellite monitoring of the river. The disputes, if any, will be placed before a seven-member Court of Arbitration comprising two members each from India and Pakistan and three independent neutral members.

Under the treaty, India has the right to use the river waters for domestic, agricultural and hydropower generation purposes. Either of the two nations can seek inspection of any basin areas and have appointed Indus Commissioners for the purpose.

The Indus System of Rivers comprises three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — and three eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi. The treaty, under Article 5.1, envisages the sharing of waters of Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Jhelum and Chenab, which join the Indus River on its left bank (eastern side) in Pakistan.