India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission
Recently the 118th meeting of the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) has been concluded, the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) is the mechanism of dialogue between India and Pakistan.
It has been formed under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Its purpose is to discuss and resolve questions arising out of the implementation of this treaty by the governments of both countries.
It is mandatory to meet at least once a year.
Indus Water Treaty (IWT)
- The IWT was signed by India and Pakistan in the year 1960. The World Bank is included in this treaty as a third party guarantor.
- It is a water-distribution treaty. It determines the rights and obligations of the two countries relating to the use of water from the Indus river system.
- There are six main rivers in this river system, which have many tributaries.
- Under this treaty, India has been given a special right to use the waters of the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej).
- Pakistan has been given the right to use the western rivers (Indus, Chenab and Jhelum).
- In the case of western rivers, India has been given certain rights like agriculture, shipping, domestic use etc. India has also been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run-of-the-river projects.
- There is no provision for unilateral withdrawal from the IWT treaty.
- This treaty will remain in effect until the two countries ratify another mutually agreed treaty.
- There is disagreement between the two countries over the construction of Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects by India on the tributaries of Jhelum and Chenab rivers respectively.
Source – The Hindu
