‘India not stealing Pakistan’s share of river waters’

The talks,which focussed on the Nimmo-Bazgo and Chutak hydropower projects being built in Jammu and Kashmir,ended inconclusively and both sides will meet in New Delhi in May to resolve their differences.

The Indian official made it clear that his country was not “stealing” Pakistan’s share of waters.

Ranganathan reiterated that India was committed to the Indus Waters Treaty and was “designing all power projects as per criteria permitted under” the pact.

He said there was “media propaganda” in Pakistan that India was stealing Pakistan’s share of waters.

“Nimmo-Bazgo and Chutak dams are within the permissible limits of the Indus Waters Treaty and there is no need to change anything,” he said.

Ranganathan also denied allegations that India had violated the Indus Waters Treaty. Information about India’s hydropower projects was provided to Pakistan on time and there had been no delays,he said.

The Indian side had listened to Pakistan’s point of view and also tried to convey its viewpoint,he said.

Pakistan’s proposals and reservations will be looked into,he added.

Briefing journalists at the end of the talks here,Pakistani Indus Waters Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah said his side had expressed concerns that the Nimmo-Bazgo and Chutak projects will affect water flows to Pakistan.

“We conveyed our concerns to India as we fear there will be a reduction of water supply in the Indus river from Indian Kashmir after the construction of the two dams,” Shah said.

The Nimmo-Bazgo dam’s design is aimed at maximizing “manipulatable water space”,he said.

“The Indian side has designed the entire project on maximum projected notional figures regarding water and flood flows,” he added and insisted that India must take actual river flow figures and adjust the design accordingly.

Shah said India wanted to maximize free board (free space above lake level),fix spillways at the lowest possible point and the flushing outlet at the highest point.

“These efforts,if allowed,will give India massive space to manipulate water flows,” he claimed.

He also said Pakistan had asked India to provide details of water being consumed for agriculture.

“We have been demanding this since 1980,” he said and reiterated that Pakistan might opt for third party arbitration if differences over water issues are not resolved by May. The nine-member Indian delegation will return home on Wednesday.