World Bank calls for appointing neutral expert

"We have received a reply from the World Bank recommending the appointment of a neutral expert from a panel of three names," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here on Thursday evening.

The World Bank said on Thursday that following a request from Pakistan government it has informed India and Pakistan of its intention to appoint a neutral expert under the terms of a 1960 water treaty brokered by the World Bank.

Pakistan had approached the World Bank on January 18 this year alleging the 450 MW Baglihar dam on Chenab river violates the 1960 treaty after talks between the two countries on the dispute ended in a deadlock.

India maintains it has not violated any provision of the Indus Water Treaty and had termed as "unjustified and pre-mature" Pakistan's approaching the World Bank saying it can be solved bilaterally.

The issue had figured during talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Delhi on April 17.