International News

Pakistan to host India for next round of Indus Water Treaty talks

Sentinel Digital Desk

ISLAMABAD: After detailed discussions on the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) during the two-day meeting between delegations of Pakistan and India in New Delhi, Islamabad will be hosting the Indian counterpart delegation for the second round of talks during next month.

Mehar Ali Shah, the Indus Water Commissioner from Pakistan, said the "dialogue with the neighboring country on the water issues would continue in the future." "The Indian side has listened to the objections raised by Pakistan on different projects on its rivers and promised serious review of such projects," he maintained, while speaking to media at the Wagah border upon his return from India.

The Pakistani delegation led by Shah was in New Delhi for the two-day talks. As per the Indian external affairs ministry, "talks were held in a cordial manner", adding that both sides agreed to interact more frequently to resolve issues through bilateral discussions."

Shah highlighted the meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in New Delhi as a positive step forward as it had not happened since August 2018. "It is a good sign that India invited the Pakistani side for a meeting even during the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic," Shah said. As per details of the meeting, the Indian side shared flood data for the monsoon season, while Pakistan shared its concerns over the construction of various projects. (IANS)