India on Thursday questioned the World Bank’s interference in resolving the difference between New Delhi and Islamabad regarding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
Last week, the World Bank appointed a Court of Arbitration and a neutral expert under two separate processes after Pakistan requested that the organization handle the dispute related to the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects on the Indus River tributary.
"I do not think they (World Bank) are in a position to interpret the treaty for us. It is a treaty between our two countries, and our assessment of the treaty is that there is a provision of graded approach," Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday.
Last week, India issued a notice to Pakistan seeking a review and modification of the IWT for the management of cross-border rivers following Islamabad's "intransigence" in handling disputes.
"The World Bank acknowledged the problem of having two parallel processes. Our interpretation and assessment are that this is not in consonance with the treaty's provisions," the spokesperson stated.
"We have called upon Pakistan to notify a suitable date for the commencement of inter-state bilateral negotiations under Article 12(3) of the treaty within 90 days. I’m not aware of a response from Pakistan as yet," the spokesperson said, adding that India is not participating in the court of the arbitration process in the Netherlands.
Pakistan's main concern remains that India's hydropower dams would cut the water flow on the river, as the tributaries are a primary source of irrigation and household use in the country.