Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan says will not accept any modifications in the pact as India offers bilateral talks

Pakistan has said that it will not accept any changes or modifications in the Indus Waters Treaty with India. Pakistan’s remarks come a day after India said it was ready to resolve issues with Islamabad over the Kishenganga and Ralte projects under the Indus Water Treaty through bilateral talks.

“Pakistan will not accept any modifications or changes to the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty. Our position is based on the principles enshrined in the treaty. And the treaty must be honoured in...letter and spirit”, the Dawn quoted Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,  Tariq Fatemi, as saying.

Pakistan has raised its objection to the building of Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric plants by India saying it violates the provisions of the treaty.

The tensions between India and Pakistan were escalated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly threatened to block the flow of water to Pakistan, saying “blood and water can’t flow together.”

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The World Bank has asked both India and Pakistan to resolve their disagreements over the Indus Water Treaty Dispute 1960 through alternative ways.

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