An Indian government source said India has asked Pakistan to replace the decades-old water-sharing agreement by barring third parties from interfering in disputes, a suggestion that could anger Islamabad.
The nuclear-armed neighbors and foes have been arguing for years over hydroelectric projects on the shared Indus River and its tributaries – a dispute exacerbated by their standoff over disputed Kashmir.
Pakistan is concerned that India’s planned hydroelectric dams will reduce flows on the river, which is home to 80% of its irrigated agriculture. Over the years it has asked a neutral expert and then an arbitration court to intervene.
India has accused Pakistan of dragging out the complaint process, and said the construction of the Kishanganga and Ratle hydro electric projects is permitted by the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty.
An Indian government source said on Friday that New Delhi had given notice to Pakistan to revise the treaty and wanted to meet within 90 days to resolve the long-standing dispute.