WB experts panel for Baglihar

In response to Pakistan’s request for intervening in the Baglihar dam issue, the World Bank has suggested the appointment of a neutral ...

In response to Pakistan’s request for intervening in the Baglihar dam issue, the World Bank has suggested the appointment of a neutral expert and will be sending a panel of three experts to both countries for them to choose any one of them.

India today confirmed receiving a list of the names, which was sent on Tuesday. While India had suggested that the matter be resolved bilaterally, sources said, the World Bank recommendation will have to examined in context of the Indus Waters Treaty. It may be noted that the 1960 treaty does provide for the World Bank to appoint a neutral expert to settle any ‘‘differences’’ between both countries after the question remains unresolved by the Permanent Indus Commission.

Pakistan had approached the World Bank on January 18, stating that the Baglihar dam violated the Indus Waters Treaty. New Delhi had then termed the move as ‘‘pre-mature’’ and ‘‘unjustified’’.

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India and Pakistan had held several rounds of technical discussions to resolve the differences over this 450-MW project. Though a solution could not be reached, India was optimistic after the last round of technical talks in January. PM Manmohan Singh, too, had recently assured Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during his visit that New Delhi will not violate the treaty.

But with the World Bank sending a panel of experts, both sides will have to reach an agreement on the name of the expert. In case, they are unable to do so, the World Bank will make efforts for a consensus by talking to both countries and if that too fails, then it will go ahead and appoint an expert as is outlined in the treaty.