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Seasonal discussions with Nepal serve little purpose, says India

NEW DELHI: India is for taking a hard look at the ongoing talks on water issues with Nepal as it feels that seasonal discussions serve little purpose.

To find a long term solution to the problem, it seeks a revisit of the present institutional arrangements.

At present both countries have nearly a dozen forums on water issues, ranging from embankments to flood forecasting. They tend to come alive around the monsoon season, which spells misery to those living near the flood-prone areas on both sides.

In the aftermath of the devastation caused by floods, relations between the two neighbours sour over the issue of inadequate flood management measures.

New Delhi has found that some of the sub-committees are functional, some dysfunctional and others have the potential for revival. India intends taking a “hard look” along with Nepal on all these forums to assess how many of them have actually proved useful in arriving at a solution to the river waters issue.

With Nepal having recently appointed a Water Resources Secretary after a hiatus, India has proposed a meeting at the apex level to set the tone for a long-term solution to the problem.

“We intend embarking on serious discussions,” said an official, pointing out that some committees, such as the one on flood forecasting, had not made any progress since inception.

The two sides could consider activating the committee after amalgamating it under some other technical units, abolishing it altogether or reviving it.

Both countries realise that despite professing close ties, there has been very little progress on water resources. In the past four decades, only three accords – Koshi, Gandaki and Tanakpur barrage – have been signed, while the Mahakali Treaty is still to be operationalised after a decade.

India also realises that despite enjoying close ties with Nepal, if there is no solution on water resources, it will be even more difficult to break bread with Bangladesh on the issue.

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