The Pakistani delegation is led by Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah. Naga Nathan is leading the nine-member Indian delegation.
The main agenda of first day was to decrease of water level in River Chenab and the construction of Nemobaaz Go and Chotak power plants at the River Sindh by India that will block 35,000 foot per acre water.
Pakistan put forward proposal of telemetry system to measure flow of water between India and Pakistan. Indian delegation told media that objections raised by Pakistan shall be examined.
Both delegations discussed issues regarding agriculture and hydro-electric use of water.
These talks are held under Indus Water Treaty, signed by Pakistan and India in 1960 to fairly distribute water between both countries. But the Pakistani government, since long, is saying that India is violating the treaty through construction of new projects, thereby decreasing quantum of water flow to Pakistan.
Pakistan has raised reservation over Chutak and Nimoo Bazgo projects built by India in India-controlled Kashmir that are affecting water flow in the Indus River. Indian officials handed over designs of the Chutak and Nimoo Bazgo water projects to Pakistani officials.
Technical matters and telemetry system would be discussed in the talks and Pakistan will demand water figures during the talks.
On Feb. 25, Pakistan and India resumed talks that were suspended 16 months ago by the 2008 deadly Mumbai attacks and in the talks Pakistan raised its concerns over dams built by India in India-controlled Kashmir.
In his recent visit to South Asia, U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates said that the water crisis between Pakistan and India could trigger war between the two nuclear nations and it is pertinent to mention that both the countries have a long history of rivalry and three wars have been fought between the two countries since 1947.
In strategic dialogue with Pakistan on March 24, the U.S. ruled out any mediation role between India and Pakistan, but it welcomed a dialogue between the two South Asian nations, including on the issue of Kashmir.
