
In its first engagement with the PM Imran Khan's government, Indian officials today began talks with Pakistan in Lahore on the Indus Water Treaty on Wednesday.
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The last meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission was held in New Delhi in March. The two sides shared details of water flow and the quantum of water used under the Indus Treaty.
PM Nehru and President Ayub Khan in 1960 had signed the treaty after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank as a signatory.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, addressing the High-Level Panel on Water Diplomacy in Stockholm on Tuesday had said the Indus Water Treaty provided a framework for resolving disagreements over water use and had survived despite disputes between the two countries.
It is considered to be one of the most successful water treaties in the world.
The treaty sets a mechanism for exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. However, there have been disagreements between India and Pakistan over the treaty.
The dispute revolves around the tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers. The World Bank had allowed India to construct hydroelectric power facilities on the Jhelum and Chenab tributaries with Pakistan criticising India's move to construct the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants.