Tue Jan 21 15:50:20 UTC 2025: ## India Wins Backing from World Bank Expert in Indus Waters Treaty Dispute with Pakistan
**New Delhi, [Date]** – India has secured a significant victory in its long-standing dispute with Pakistan over two hydroelectric power projects in Jammu and Kashmir. The World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert, tasked with resolving differences under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, ruled that he has the authority to decide on the matter concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric plants.
This decision, announced on Monday, upholds India’s contention that all seven points of difference regarding the projects fall under the Neutral Expert’s purview. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the ruling, stating it vindicates India’s position. Pakistan has yet to issue an official response.
The dispute centers on disagreements over whether the design features of the Kishenganga and Ratle power plants violate the Indus Waters Treaty. In 2022, Pakistan requested the establishment of a Court of Arbitration, while India sought the appointment of the Neutral Expert. The Expert’s decision effectively sidesteps Pakistan’s request for arbitration.
The MEA emphasized that India will continue to participate fully in the Neutral Expert’s process, rejecting Pakistan’s parallel arbitration proceedings as illegitimate. The next phase will involve a final decision on the merits of each of the seven points of difference. India and Pakistan also maintain ongoing discussions on potential modifications to the Indus Waters Treaty itself, under the treaty’s Article XII (3). The World Bank, a signatory to the treaty, facilitated the appointment of both the Neutral Expert and the chairman of the Court of Arbitration in 2022.
First Piper 