World Bank Neutral Expert Favors India’s Stand in Indus Water Treaty Dispute with Pakistan

The World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert has affirmed its authority to resolve the differences between India and Pakistan regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, under the framework of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT). This decision marks a significant development in the long-standing dispute, as the Neutral Expert has dismissed Pakistan’s plea for establishing a Court of Arbitration to address its concerns over the designs of these projects.

The dispute centers on Pakistan’s claims that the design of the Kishenganga and Ratle projects violates the provisions of the IWT, which governs the sharing of waters from the Indus River and its tributaries between the two nations. In response, India has maintained that the projects fully comply with the treaty’s stipulations. To address these differences, India had requested the World Bank to appoint a Neutral Expert to assess the merits of the concerns.

After conducting a thorough analysis, the Neutral Expert declared that it is competent to decide on the points of difference raised. This decision, announced after years of deliberations and consultations, rejects Pakistan’s insistence on a simultaneous Court of Arbitration.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India welcomed the development, stating that it has been India’s consistent and principled position that the Neutral Expert alone has the authority under the treaty to resolve such technical differences. The MEA emphasized that the decision vindicates India’s stand, as all seven questions referred to the Neutral Expert pertained to the Kishenganga and Ratle projects.

In 2022, the World Bank had appointed both a Neutral Expert and a Chairman of the Court of Arbitration to address the disagreements between the two countries. However, India objected to the simultaneous processes, arguing that the treaty does not envisage parallel proceedings. The current ruling affirms India’s position and effectively consolidates the resolution process under the Neutral Expert.

The Kishenganga project, located on a tributary of the Jhelum River, and the Ratle project, on the Chenab River, are strategically significant for India’s energy needs. Pakistan has expressed concerns that these projects could impact water flows downstream. India, however, has consistently argued that the projects comply with the treaty’s provisions, which permit certain uses of river water for hydropower generation.

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