Indus water talks between India, Pakistan end inconclusively

LAHORE: The three-day talks between India and Pakistan here over designs of Kishan Ganga Dam and four other hydroelectric power projects at the Jhelum and the Chenab rivers respectively has ended inconclusively, but the two sides hoped to find a solution in next meeting in Delhi.

The talks concluded yesterday and the 10-member Indian delegation led by Commissioner of Indus Water Commission K Vohra will leave for India today. The Pakistani team was headed by Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Baig.

"The talks ended on a positive note and we will move forward to discussing and finding out a solution to Pakistan's objections in next round of talks in New Delhi in October," Baig told PTI.

"We are optimistic that India will redress our concerns and the matter will be resolved without going to the International Court of Justice. In case our concerns are not met we will have no other option but to move to the ICJ."

When asked about reports that India did not show flexibility on objections on designs of Kishan Ganga Dam and four other proposed dams at the Jhelum and the Chenab rivers, respectively, Baig said: "I would not say either the talks failed or India refused to accommodate our view point."

"Although there is not a major breakthrough but we have brought forth our objections and the Indian team has agreed to examine them," he said.

He said India had agreed to respond to Pakistan's objections in detail in the next round of talks.