Deputy NSA Vikram Misri reviews Indus Basin projects in Srinagar

During the meeting, Misri took stock of the progress made on various Hydro Power Projects in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.

New Delhi:NSA Vikram Misri reviewed the progress of the Indus Basin projects in Srinagar to ensure India's fair share under the Indus Waters Treaty at the second meeting of the Task Force on Friday.

During the meeting, Misri took stock of the progress made on various Hydro Power Projects in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said. According to sources, it was noted that progress has been made on several fronts, and emphasis was laid on completing the works on all the Indus Basin projects in a timely manner to enable better utilization of India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.

The meeting was attended by the Pr. Secretary Power Development Department, J&k UT, and officials of the concerned executing agencies. Officials from relevant ministries and agencies including the Ministry of External Affairs and Commissioner (Indus) Ministry of Jal Shakti attended the meeting.

During the two-day visit, the Deputy National Security Advisor also called on Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Vikram Misri apprised the LG of ongoing efforts to monitor the implementation of hydropower projects in the Indus Basin under the direction of the Prime Minister's office. Sinha assured the full cooperation of the J&K administration in this endeavour.

Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri also met with top military and security officials in J&K and was briefed on the prevailing situation in Kashmir. Sources said that he particularly appreciated the role of the concerned stakeholders in the conduct of the G-20 working group meeting on Tourism in Srinagar on May 22-24.

In January this year, India issued notice to Pakistan for modification of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of September 1960. Notice was conveyed on January 25, Wednesday through respective Commissioners for Indus Waters. This is as per Article XII (3) of IWT, sources said today.

According to sources, India has always been a steadfast supporter and a responsible partner in implementing IWT in letter and spirit. However, Pakistan’s actions have adversely impinged the provisions of IWT and their implementation and forced India to issue an appropriate notice for modification of IWT.

In 2015, Pakistan requested the appointment of a Neutral Expert to examine its technical objections to India’s Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs). In 2016, Pakistan unilaterally retracted this request and proposed that a Court of Arbitration adjudicate its objections.