India has written to Pakistan proposing a visit by its experts to inspect two hydroelectricity projects on the Chenab river in Jammu & Kashmir from January 27 to February 1, which is mandatory under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)between the two countries, sources said Friday.
The invitation was extended on Wednesday by India’s Indus Commissioner under the IWT to his Pakistani counterpart, sources in New Delhi said. India is yet to receive an official confirmation about the acceptance of the invitation from Pakistan, a senior official said. After the trip by Pakistani experts, Indian officials will also make a reciprocatory trip to Pakistan under the treaty.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda termed this as a “major breakthrough” and said that India had “agreed” to allow the inspection of its two hydropower projects on the Chenab river in J&K by Pakistani experts later this month.