*LAHORE – The Indian delegation has arrived in Pakistan for holding firstever dialogues with the new PTI government in Islamabad.*
*Indian delegation arrived to attend the meeting of the Permanent IndusCommission (PIC) from August 29 to 30 to discuss water issues between thetwo countries.*
A nine-member Indian delegation, led by Indian Commissioner for IndusWaters, PK Saxena, and comprising technical experts has reached Lahorethrough Wagah Border. The delegation will be taken to Islamabad followingbrief stay in Lahore.
The Pakistani side will be led by their Indus Commissioner, Syed MuhammadMehar Ali Shah.
PIC was formed under Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistanin 1960, it includes the Indus commissioners of both the countries. Thetreaty provides for both the commissioners to meet at least once everyyear, alternately in India and Pakistan.
The treaty specifies that the waters of three eastern rivers namely Ravi,Beas and Sutlej, had been reserved for India while that of western rivers,namely Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, are for Pakistan. However, India claims ithas unrestricted rights to develop hydroelectric power projects on thewestern rivers, within the specified parameters of design.