WASHINGTON, November 21, 2022— On November 21, 2022, the World Bank held two separate hand-over meetings with the Neutral Expert and the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration under the Indus Waters Treaty. Representatives from India and Pakistan were also invited to attend the two meetings.
The meetings followed the appointments made pursuant to the Treaty by the World Bank in October 2022 of Mr. Michel Lino, as the Neutral Expert, and Prof. Sean Murphy, as Chairman of the Court of Arbitration. In line with its responsibilities under the Indus Waters Treaty, the World Bank effected the appointments that it was mandated to make in the two separate processes requested by India and Pakistan in relation to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants.
The two countries disagree over whether the technical design features of these two hydroelectric plants contravene the Treaty. Pakistan asked the World Bank to facilitate the appointment of the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration, and India asked the World Bank to facilitate the appointment of the Neutral Expert.
