Representatives of India and Pakistan attended a two-day meeting in Vienna that was part of the proceedings for the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. The neutral expert meeting was convened by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on September 20 and 21.
The Ministry of External Affairs informed that Senior Advocate Harish Salve KC was present in the capacity of India’s Lead Counsel in this matter. Further, the meeting was convened by the neutral expert appointed on India’s request under the aegis of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Ministry says that India’s participation in this meeting is in line with India’s consistent, principled stand that, as per the graded mechanism provided for in the Indus Waters Treaty, the neutral expert proceedings are the only valid proceedings at this juncture.
Earlier this year, a court of arbitration (CoA) ruled that it has “competence” to consider matters over the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. The projects undertaken by India have faced strong opposition from Pakistan.
According to India, the start of parallel proceedings to resolve the dispute violates the provisions of the graded mechanism prescribed in the Indus Waters Treaty. “India has taken the Treaty-consistent decision to not participate in the parallel proceedings being conducted by an illegally constituted Court of Arbitration on the same set of issues pertaining to the Kishenganga and Ratle HEPs.” said the Ministry.
“India is committed to engaging in a manner that supports the resolution of issues in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty,” highlighted the Ministry.