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The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that the government has not changed its position on the Indus Water Treaty even as India is assessing the outcome of the last meeting of the Indus Water Commission that was held in Pakistan on March 20-21.
The meeting of the commission, which took place between India and Pakistan Indus Water Commissioners after almost two years, did not seem to have concluded on a positive note with both sides singing different tunes.
“They (Indus Water Commissioners) had detailed technical discussions. Our team has since returned and the deliberations and discussions at the meeting are being assessed. Let me categorically tell you that there has been no change in the previous Indian position on any of the matters discussed at the Commission meeting. At this stage, it would be premature to talk of hypothetical contingencies,” said Gopal Baglay, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
However, Pakistan, on the other hand, has said that both sides will have a high-level meeting on the issue in US in April 11-13. “As I have mentioned earlier, the meeting of the permanent Indus Water Commission which took place on 20-21 March in Pakistan is a mandatory Treaty requirement. So long as we are a party to the Treaty, it is incumbent upon us to fulfil our treaty obligations and it is therefore we attend the Treaty-mandated meetings which is held at least once every financial year. The Commission is a bilateral body of engineers and technical experts,” he added.
Baglay also hinted at a possible resumption of dialogue between both sides but in an environment that will be “free from terror.” This, he said, was mentioned in a letter that was sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of their National Day.
“Pakistan has to walk away from terror. Terrorism emanating from India and emanating from other neighbours of Pakistan as well has been the core concern and we would like it to be effectively addressed by Pakistan,” he said.
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