India and Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to resolve issues through bilateral discussion under the Indus Water Treaty during the 118th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) here.
The two-day meeting which started on Monday was held in a cordial manner, the ministry of external affairs said. The Commission appreciated the commitment of the two sides to interact frequently and resolve issues through bilateral discussions under the Indus Water Treaty. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PIC in Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.
The Indian delegation was led by A.K. Pal, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters and the visiting Pakistan delegation was led by Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah, the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters. During the meeting, annual report of the PIC for the year ending on March 31, 2022 was finalised and signed.
The PIC meeting is held annually under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960. The latest round was held within three months of the last meeting in Islamabad. The 117th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held from March 1-3 in Islamabad. The Indian team was led by PK Saxena, the then Indus Commissioner for India.
As per the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) 1960 — between India and Pakistan over sharing of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin — both the countries are to have Indus Commissioners, and the Permanent Indus Commission is to meet at least once every year, alternatively in India and Pakistan.