A day after the World Bank appointed a “neutral expert” and chairman of the Court of Arbitration by the World Bank to resolve disagreements between India and Pakistan over the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower crops, the federal government on Wednesday mentioned that the Indus Waters Treaty has Implementation must be in “letter and spirit” of the treaty.
“We take note of the World Bank’s announcement to concurrently appoint a neutral expert and the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration in the ongoing case relating to the Kishanganga and Ratle projects,” the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned in a press release.
“Accepting in its World Bank announcement that ‘simultaneous two processes pose practical and legal challenges’, India will assess the matter,” the assertion mentioned. “India believes that the implementation of the Indus Water Treaty should be in the letter and spirit of the treaty.”
The MEA’s assertion comes a day after the World Bank appointed Michelle Lino as impartial professional and Prof Sean Murphy as chairman of the Court of Arbitration. “They will perform their duties in their individual capacity as subject matter experts and will be independently independent of any other appointments,” the World Bank mentioned in a press release on October 17.
“In line with its responsibilities under the Indus Water Treaty, the World Bank has made appointments that were mandated to do so in two separate procedures requested by India and Pakistan with respect to the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric plants.”
“The two countries disagree on whether the technical design features of these two hydroelectric plants violate the treaty. Pakistan asked the World Bank to facilitate the establishment of a court of arbitration to consider its concerns about the design of the two hydroelectric projects.” whereas India requested for the appointment of a impartial professional to think about the same considerations on the 2 tasks.
“The World Bank continues to share the considerations of the events that combining the 2 procedures pose sensible and authorized challenges. The World Bank is assured that as impartial consultants and as members of the Court of Arbitration, Highly certified consultants shall take into account their jurisdiction impartially and thoroughly, as they’re empowered by treaty to take action,” it mentioned.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
