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Neutral Expert moves on with Pakistan on IWT, sets Jan ’27 deadline
By Anubhuti Vishnoi, ET Bureau
Last Updated: Jan 07, 2026, 11:47:00 PM IST The Economic Times
Neutral expert moves on with Pakistan on IWT, sets Jan ’27 deadline
The fresh timelines for ‘non-bifurcated’ proceedings have been drawn up by Michel Lino, the Neutral Expert mediating the issue, following the fourth meeting held in Vienna during November 17–21, 2025, which was not attended by India. The original pre-agreed work calendar did not indicate specific timelines for a final decision. Lino has now revised the ‘Work Programme’ to move ‘expeditiously’ with the proceedings — starting from April 2026 with written submissions sought from both parties besides the fifth meeting scheduled for April–May 2026. The latter was originally planned for July 2026. No second site visit to the HEPs in India will, however, be scheduled, given India’s non-participation. The Economic Times
NEW DELHI: Even as India has skipped all Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) proceedings following the Pahalgam attack, the Neutral Expert examining India and Pakistan’s differences over the Ratle and Kishanganga Hydro Electric Projects in J&K, has advanced the remaining proceedings and will issue a final decision on the contested matter by January 2027 on Pakistan’s request, latest documents show. The Economic Times
The Neutral Expert, however, has rejected Pakistan’s request for bifurcation of proceedings and a ‘partial decision’ on several design elements of the Ratle HEP, ET’s perusal of his communication on December 18, 2025 shows. The Economic Times
The fresh timelines for ‘non-bifurcated’ proceedings have been drawn up by Michel Lino, the Neutral Expert mediating the issue, following the fourth meeting held in Vienna during November 17–21, 2025, which was not attended by India. The original pre-agreed work calendar did not indicate specific timelines for a final decision. The Economic Times
Lino has now revised the ‘Work Programme’ to move ‘expeditiously’ with the proceedings — starting from April 2026 with written submissions sought from both parties besides the fifth meeting scheduled for April–May 2026. The latter was originally planned for July 2026. No second site visit to the HEPs in India will be scheduled given India’s non-participation. The Economic Times
The Neutral Expert will then ready a Synthesis Memorandum (like an objective analysis) by June 1, possibly hold another round of meetings in July after which he will ready his ‘Draft Decision’ to be circulated to both India and Pakistan by September 30 this year. Following written comments from both countries on the same and a fresh meeting during November 9–11, the Neutral Expert will circulate his final decision to both India and Pakistan by January 29, 2027, the new Work Calendar reads. The Economic Times
Pakistan, at the fourth meeting with the Neutral Expert and later through a November 28, 2025, communication, sought an expedited timetable — with a partial decision by mid-2026 and a final one by January 2027 besides bifurcated proceedings — citing reports on India “rapidly proceeding with construction” at RHEP, which it alleged could create a “looming challenge to the effectiveness of the (Neutral Expert) proceedings”. It argued that the contentious issue of ‘pondage’ at Ratle and Kishanganga was already set to be examined by the Court of Arbitration which could soon issue an award. The Economic Times
In his December 18, 2025 reply to Pakistan’s application, the Neutral Expert held that reports on “acceleration of construction at RHEP” are “vague and somewhat contradictory” and indicate that the RHEP construction is “behind schedule” and faced with difficulties that could cause “delay and possibly lead the construction company to pull out of the project”
Neutral Expert moves on with Pakistan on IWT, sets Jan '27 deadline
A Neutral Expert is moving forward with proceedings on the Ratle and Kishanganga Hydro Electric Projects. A final decision is expected by January 2027. India has skipped these proceedings. Pakistan requested an expedited timetable and bifurcation of the process. The Neutral Expert rejected the...
