India will work with WB to pick Baglihar expert

With the World Bank deciding on sending a panel of experts for India and Pakistan to settle the differences over the 450 MW Baglihar project...

With the World Bank deciding on sending a panel of experts for India and Pakistan to settle the differences over the 450 MW Baglihar project, New Delhi said today that it intends to ‘‘fully cooperate’’ with the Bank in selecting a neutral expert.

‘‘We have consistently declared that India intends to remain in strict conformity with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty and, therefore, intends to cooperate fully with the World Bank in the selection of a neutral expert,’’ the MEA Spokesperson said.

The bank has sent names of three experts — Francisco Gomide of Brazil, Raymond Lasite of Switzerland and Donald Blackmore of Australia — and will wait for both sides to send their acceptance of these names. The expert that tallies in the selected list sent by both countries will then be formally appointed by the World Bank.

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In case the two parties are not in agreement, the Bank may send more names and give two weeks time to respond. If differences still persist, the Bank can go ahead an nominate any neutral expert that then will become a binding on both countries.

India, which earlier this month had sent a positive signal by showing readiness to carry out some technical modifications, said it had hoped that Pakistan would be able to provide ‘‘quantified technical objections’’ that could then be addressed within the provisions of the treaty. This was also conveyed to Pakistan recently during the visit of President Pervez Musharraf.

‘‘Since Pakistan has chosen to invoke the role of the World Bank, as provided for in the treaty, India will have no hesitation in making available whatever technical details the neutral expert may require, with the parameters clearly laid down in the treaty,’’ the spokesperson added.

	Pak to abide by neutral expert’s decision: Aziz

			• ISLAMABAD: Ruling out any further discussion with India to resolve the Baglihar dam controversy, Pakistan has said it would abide by the decision of the neutral expert, the World Bank. Close on the heels of the World Bank sending its recommendations for appointment of a neutral expert from a three-member panel, PM Shaukat Aziz said, ‘‘Pakistan would stick to the Indus Waters Treaty, come what may. Once the neutral expert decides the issue, it would accept it in true spirit.’’ —PTI Story continues below this ad

India made it clear that it attaches considerable importance to the Baglihar project which will bring significant economic benefits to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

But at the same time it will adhere to all the commitments in the Treaty which has been successful and has ‘‘stood the test of time’’ for 45 years. This, in fact, is the first occasion when the World Bank has been urged by either party to appoint a neutral expert.

The Bank has sent the panel of experts three months after Pakistan sought its intervention. The list of experts was communicated to the two countries simultaneously and they have been asked to choose their nominee within two weeks.

Earlier, India had termed Pakistan’s move to approach the Bank as ‘‘premature’’ and ‘‘not justified’’.

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