Islamabad: Officials of India and Pakistan today (July 29, 2004) began two-day talks in Islamabad to resolve differences over the construction of Wullar Barrage by India in Jammu & Kashmir.

A ten-member Indian officials team led by V K Duggal, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, which arrived in Islamabad last night (July 28, 2004), started talks with Pakistan delegation headed by Secretary Water and Power, Ashfaq Mehmood.

The talks being held under the composite dialogue process originally scheduled to begin yesterday (Jul 28, 2004) but were postponed by a day due to delay in arrival of the Indian team.

On his arrival last night, Duggal said the two countries could resolve the difference with sincere efforts.

Ahead of the talks, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan said both sides made an effort to resolve the issue.

He said the talks were aimed sorting out differences on India's plans to construct a dam over Jhelum River in Jammu & Kashmir, which Pakistan objected to stating that, it violated the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.

Under the Treaty, India has been given the rights over Ravi, Sutlez and Beas while Pakistan had the riparian rights over Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.