The Neutral Expert overseeing proceedings under the Indus Waters Treaty has appointed independent specialists from French engineering consultancy ISL Ingénierie to evaluate India's technical submissions related to sediment management at the Kishenganga and proposed Ratle Hydropower Project.

According to documents released by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, the external experts will independently verify India's scientific data supporting the need for deep bottom gates (deep drawdown spillways) at both hydropower projects.

The technical assessment will focus on three key areas. These include analysing sediment transport within the Chenab River system, conducting hydraulic modelling around the Ratle dam, and estimating sedimentation volumes at the Kishenganga reservoir using available bathymetric survey data.

The exercise is intended to determine whether India's argument—that deep drawdown spillways are essential for managing the heavy sediment loads carried by Himalayan rivers—is technically justified. Pakistan has consistently disputed this position, arguing that such structures are not permitted under its interpretation of the treaty.

Despite India's decision to suspend participation in the Neutral Expert proceedings since May 2025, the technical review process has continued. The Neutral Expert is proceeding with the independent assessment to establish an evidence-based understanding of the engineering and sediment management requirements associated with the projects.

The findings of the French specialists are expected to play a significant role in the ongoing dispute resolution process and are anticipated to be submitted by March 2027.

The outcome could influence future interpretations of engineering provisions under the Indus Waters Treaty, particularly regarding the design and operation of run-of-the-river hydropower projects in sediment-intensive Himalayan river systems.