There was no solution in the two-day talks between India and Pakistan in Washington about the impasse over the design of two hydro power projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Secretary-level talks held on September 14-15, regarding the technical issues of Kishanganga and Rattal Hydro Power Plant, under the auspices of the World Bank under the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, were unsuccessful.

The World Bank is also a signatory in the treaty between India and Pakistan. The World Bank has said that it will continue to cooperate in resolving issues both countries peacefully.

The World Bank said in a statement, "Though no agreement was reached in this meeting. But the World Bank will work together in concert with the two countries to resolve this issue in a consistent manner and in accordance with the provisions of the treaty."

In this meeting, Water Resources Secretary Amarjeet Singh and Incharge Joint Secretary in the Pakistan Desk of the Ministry of External Affairs, Deepak Mittal joined the Indian side. At the same time, Water and Electricity Secretary Yusuf Nasim Khokhar was included in the Pakistani team with Secretary of Water Resources, Arif Ahmed Khan.

Pakistan is accused of India that its design of hydropower plants violates the Indus Water Treaty.

The existing processes under the treaty are connected to Kishanganga (330 MW) and Rattal (850 MW) hydropower plants. India is constructing these plants on Kishanganga and Chenab rivers. The World Bank is not financing any of these plants.

The World Bank said that the Indus Water Treaty, 1960 is seen as one of the most successful international treaties. This treaty is still going on despite the tension between India and Pakistan.

The World Bank, arbitrating in the Indus Water Treaty, had said in September that India and Pakistan had approached him and he was reacting in line with his limited and procedural role as fixed in the treaty.

The World Bank had said, "India and Pakistan have informed the World Bank that both of them have initiated proceedings related to the Indus Water Treaty 1960 and World Bank is responding to the limited and procedural role set forth in the Group Treaty.''

This treaty sets out the mechanisms of cooperation and exchange of information in the context of the use of rivers between the two countries. This is called the permanent Indus Commission and it includes one commissioner from both the countries.

It also decides the process of resolving the alleged questions, differences and disputes that may arise between the parties.

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