Pak invites India to finalise Kishenganga umpires' issue

India's efforts to decide the issue of appointment of umpires for Kishenganga arbitration bilaterally appears to have made some headway with Pakistan inviting it for discussions on the issue on July 13.

India's efforts to decide the issue of appointment of umpires for Kishenganga arbitration bilaterally appears to have made some headway with Pakistan inviting it for discussions on the issue on July 13.

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Sources in the government confirmed that Pakistan has invited India to discuss the issue of appointment of three neutral umpires. "But we have not yet finalised our response and the composition of team," a source told PTI.

If the two countries fail to have consensus on umpires, this will be decided by a draw of lots by World Bank, the United Nations and some other institutions.

The two countries, which have agreed on international arbitration, had been having a dispute over how to finalise the three neutral umpires who will supervise the legal battle between the two sides in a court of arbitration.

The two countries have already nominated their two legal experts (arbitrators) each to contest their case over the power project being built in Jammu and Kashmir.

Accusing India of breaching the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty by diverting the water of the Jhelum tributary for its Kishenganga hydel power project, Pakistan
sought international arbitration in May this year after the two countries failed to resolve the issue bilaterally for over two decades.

Under the provisions of the Treaty, the two countries have to appoint three umpires, including a Chairman, before the court of arbitration is set up to decide on the issue.

India had invited Pakistan to hold consultations here on July 5 and 6 to decide on umpires bilaterally. But Pakistan suggested that the names of the umpires be exchanged between the missions of the two countries.