Wullar Barrage talks end with no headway

New Delhi—Pakistan and India have emphasized the need for an early and amicable resolution of Wullar Barrage issue in accordance with the provisions of Indus waters treaty of 1960 for socio-economic development of the peoples of both the countries.
This was stated in a joint statement issued on the conclusion of two-day Secretary level talks between both the countries under composite on Friday afternoon. Reaffirming their commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty, they also agreed to hold further discussions including at technical level on mutually acceptable dates.
Both sides looked forward to the next round of talks under Composite Dialogue with a view to resolving the issue at an early date, the statement said. The statement further said the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. Both sides discussed their respective positions on the project and had a better appreciation of each other’s views.
Pakistani side was represented at the talks by Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Secretary, Ministry of water and Power while Indian side was represented by Mrs. Gauri Chatterji, Secretary Ministry of Water Resources. Syed Jammat Ali Shah, Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Water and Shahid Malik, Pakistan High Commissioner also attended the talks.
Later, in the afternoon, Pakistani delegation led by Ismail Qureshi called on Professor Saifuddin Soz, Union Minister for Water Resources and discussed matters of mutual interests. During the talks, Pakistan had asked India to abandon the Wullar Barrage project as it was not consistent to the provisions of the Indus Basin treaty.
Two-day long dialogue between Pakistan-India on Wullar Barrage concluded in New Delhi on Friday. The Indian delegation was led by Mrs. Gauri Chatterji, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India and the Pakistan delegation was led by Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Secretary, Ministry of Water and power, Government of Pakistan.
During the dialogue the Secretaries of both countries have agreed to hold discussions including at technical-level on mutually acceptable dates. Both sides looked forward to the next round of talks under the composite dialogue with a view to resolving the issue at an early date.
Earlier, the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. The two sides further discussed their respective positions on the project and had a better appreciating of each other’s views. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. The two sides emphasized the need for an early and amicable resolution of the issue in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 for the socio-economic development of the propels of the two countries.
The Pakistan delegation also called on Professor Saifuddin Soz, Minister for Water Resources, Government of India.—Agencies