Pakistan rejects India’s talks offer on hydro power projects

Islamabad, Aug 24: After cancelling National Security Advisors level talks, Pakistan on Monday rejected India's offer to hold talks on the hydro power projects, media reported.

India made this request through a letter to Pakistan after NSA-level talks called off by the Pakistan, The nation.com reported.

"We will not walk into the trap," said an authoritative official who is aware of the communication.

"We will go for the third party arbitration as provided in the agreement between the two countries," said the official.

India is building Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project (with 330MW power production capacity) and Ratle Hydroelectric Plant (850MW) on river Chenab in Kishtwar district in Kashmir.

The Kishanganga hydro project is located on river Kishanganga, a tributary of river Jhelum, in Bandipore district of Jammu & Kashmir.

Islamabad had raised objection on the design of these projects, saying they will obstruct the flow of water to a degree that violates the Indus Water Treaty, signed between the two countries on sharing the water of Indus River tributaries.

The last date for Pakistan to wait for the response from India to agree on the appointment of neutral expert was August 23.

Now Pakistan will approach the World Bank at any time. Being broker of the water treaty, it is mandatory for the international institution to appoint an expert on request of Pakistan and decide the matter.

OneIndia News