Pakistan gives India ‘non papers’ on Indus treaty breach

By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir in the News, Sept 9

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has handed over “non-papers” to India on Saturday pertaining documentary evidence of serious breach of Indus Basin Water Treaty (IBWT) by New Delhi. The non-papers were delivered to visiting Indian minister for External Affairs SM Krishna here during formal talks, concluding the third round of Composite Dialogue. Highly placed diplomatic sources told The News Saturday evening that the Indian minister has been told about the relevant clauses of the treaty about water-sharing between Pakistan and India brokered by the World Bank.

The treaty was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960, by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan. The treaty was a result of Pakistani fear that since the Source Rivers of the Indus basin were in India, it could potentially create droughts and famines in Pakistan, especially at times of war. The Indus System of Rivers comprises three Western rivers, the Indus, the Jhelum and Chenab, and three Eastern rivers — the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi; and with minor exceptions, the treaty gives India exclusive use of all of the waters of the Eastern Rivers and their tributaries before the point where the rivers enter Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan has exclusive use of the Western rivers.

The two countries agreed to exchange data and co-operate in matters related to the treaty. For this purpose, treaty creates the Permanent Indus Commission, with a commissioner appointed by each country. The Permanent Indus Commission has survived two wars and provides an ongoing mechanism for consultation and conflict resolution through inspection, exchange of data, and visits. The Commission is required to meet regularly to discuss potential disputes as well as cooperative arrangements for the development of the basin. Either party must notify the other of plans to construct any engineering works which would affect the other party and to provide data about such works. The ‘non-papers’ have also given the details of correspondence between the two sides where it was mandatory for India to provide information to Pakistan according to the treaty but India failed in fulfilling its obligations. The Indian interlocutors could not offer any explanation, but they assured Pakistan that India would look into the papers and respond in next engagement, the sources revealed. The sources said that the two sides decided not to discuss contentious issues vehemently publicly in the interest of ambiance of the talks, but the two foreign ministers discussed almost every subject present on the table but yet to be resolved. The human right situation in occupied Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Balochistan situation and Samjhota Express tragedy also figured in the dialogue. The two sides decided to enhance facilities for the Kashmiri people in their exchanges and trade across the line of control (LOC). It is believed that such steps would help thinning the LOC and making it ultimately irrelevant. Pakistan has impressed upon India not to discuss the issues related to terrorism through media. “The terrorism must not be glorified as it should be dealt through candid diplomacy and in quiet manner. Positive narratives must be encouraged as the negativity wouldn’t work in such endeavours,” reminded India by Pakistan. Earlier Talking to The News, Foreign Secretary Syed Jalil Abbas Jilani made it clear that all the subjects, including Kashmir, were discussed in the foreign ministers’ meeting. He said that terrorism also came up for discussion in the meeting since it is of importance to the both countries. We are both victims. We should develop mechanism to deal with this.

Asked for his comments on the recent move by the United States to designate the Pakistan-based Haqqani network a terrorist organization, and whether he saw this development as possibly heightening tensions between Washington and Islamabad, Jailani said that Pakistan is taking action against all those who are involved in terrorism. He said that Pakistan would like India to deal with the Siachen issue, Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek issue, and, in fact, eliminate all contentious issues so that a better environment is created between the two countries. He also welcomed news of about a possible resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries. Indian and Pakistan teams will play cricket in India. Hopefully, matches will be played in Pakistan subsequently.

To a question, the foreign secretary said that Pakistan wants that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should visit Pakistan as early as possible, accepting the invitation by Pakistan’s leadership. He said that Pakistan would be very happy to welcome Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as and when he decides to undertake a visit of this country. He said that we hope that Dr Singh will come. Our doors are always open for him. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-130907-Pakistan-gives-India-non-papers-on-Indus-treaty-breach