Tue Jan 21 23:14:53 IST 2025: ## Indus Waters Treaty Dispute: Neutral Expert Upholds Jurisdiction, Sides with India
**New Delhi, January 21, 2025** – The Neutral Expert (NE) appointed under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has ruled that he has the authority to adjudicate on disputes between India and Pakistan regarding the design of hydroelectric projects on Indus rivers. This decision, announced on Monday and welcomed by India, concerns the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.
The ruling, by World Bank-appointed Michel Lino, does not resolve India’s 2023 request to renegotiate the IWT but highlights the ongoing disagreement over the treaty’s dispute resolution mechanism. India maintains that the dispute resolution process should follow a sequential approach (Permanent Indus Commission, then Neutral Expert, finally arbitration), while Pakistan has bypassed this process, seeking arbitration in 2016.
The NE’s statement clarifies that his jurisdiction over the seven technical issues related to the projects is not affected by the parallel Court of Arbitration (CoA) proceedings initiated by Pakistan. India refuses to participate in the CoA, deeming it illegally constituted.
A senior Indian official stated the NE’s decision is significant as it prevents the CoA from addressing these technical issues. Previous NE decisions have been accepted by both countries. India reiterated its commitment to the NE process while rejecting the CoA’s authority. Pakistan has yet to respond to the NE’s ruling. India’s statement emphasized its continued engagement with Pakistan on potential IWT modifications and review. The dispute centers on whether the design of the Kishenganga (Jhelum River) and Ratle (Chenab River) projects adheres to the IWT’s provisions concerning the “western tributaries” allocated to Pakistan.
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