India and Pakistan have written to the United Nations and other prominent international bodies to name neutral umpires for efforts to settle their dispute over Jammu and Kashmir-based Kishenganga hydel project.
Representatives of the two countries, who had met here last month, had agreed to take the services of the UN secretary general, Rector, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, and Lord Justice of England to decide on the three umpires, including the chairman.
Sources in the government told PTI today that New Delhi and Islamabad have written letters to the three personalities to name the umpires needed to settle their case in an international court of arbitration.
"The letters from the two sides have been dispatched and were a response is awaited," the sources said.
While the secretary general of the UN will name the chairman, the Rector of Imperial College will decide on the umpire (engineering). The Lord Justice of England will name the umpire (legal).
As per the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, once the process of arbitration is initiated by any of the two countries, the three umpires, including the chairman, have to be appointed within 60 days.
If the two countries fail to appoint umpires, the two parties prepare a draw of lots and request a "person" mentioned in the Treaty to select the umpire.
India and Pakistan had failed to reach consensus on the names of three neutral umpires for the International Court of Arbitration which will decide on resolution of dispute over Kishenganga.
The two countries have already nominated two legal experts (arbitrators) each to contest their case over the power project being built in Jammu and Kashmir.
Accusing India of breaching the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty by diverting the water of the Jhelum tributary for its Kishenganga hydel power project, Pakistan sought international arbitration in May this year after the two countries failed to resolve the issue bilaterally for over two decades.
