By IANS
New Delhi : India and Pakistan will begin two-day talks here Thursday to resolve their longstanding water dispute over the Tulbul navigation project located at the mouth of the Wullar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Water and Power Ministry Secretary Muhammed Ismael Qureshi arrived Wednesday evening to participate in the talks, which will be held under the composite dialogue process.
Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, Pakistan commissioner for Indus Water Treaty, is also part of the visiting delegation. Pakistan’s High Commissioner
The Indian delegation will be led by Water Resources Secretary Gauri Chatterji.
Pakistan has objected to the design and structure of the dam, saying that it would deprive the country of its rightful share of water from the Jehlum river, which flows across the border.
The two South Asian neighbours last held talks on the Tulbul navigation project in June, 2006 in Islamabad. Both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to the Indus Water Treaty.
India began work on the Tulbul project in 1984, but it was stopped midway in 1987 after Islamabad charged that it violated the Indus Water Treaty.