India Dismisses Hague Tribunal's Ruling on Indus Waters Treaty
India has rejected a ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration that requires it to comply with the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. The Indian government claims the tribunal does not have jurisdiction over the matter.
Sources
The Indus Waters Treaty is in dispute after India rejected a Hague-based Court of Arbitration ruling that affirmed the treaty's validity, with India labeling the tribunal as illegally constituted. Pakistan has welcomed this ruling, asserting that it remains bound by the treaty, which governs water usage from six rivers, allowing India rights over three eastern rivers and Pakistan over the western Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Millions in Pakistan depend on these rivers for their daily needs, and any attempts by India to deny water rights could be perceived as an act of war, amid a backdrop of historical tensions and diplomatic standoffs between the two nations.
A court of arbitration in The Hague has unanimously ruled that India cannot unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, declaring that the treaty remains fully in force and India must comply with its obligations. The ruling comes after India placed the treaty "in abeyance" in April 2025, following an attack that killed 26 civilians in Kashmir, an action India justified due to alleged cross-border terrorism. Pakistan applied for the court's intervention in March 2026, leading to hearings in April 2026 where India did not participate; the court ultimately rejected all arguments presented by India, reinforcing Pakistan's legal position.
India has rejected a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration mandating it to comply with the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, claiming the tribunal lacks jurisdiction. The conflict arose after India suspended the treaty following a terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people, which it attributed to Pakistani assailants, despite Pakistan's denial of involvement. Under the treaty, which is crucial for Pakistan's agriculture as it feeds 80% of its agricultural land, the tribunal ordered restrictions on India's Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant construction until a decision by a neutral expert is expected in July 2027.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ordered India to adhere to a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan concerning the Indus and other rivers, rejecting India's attempt to suspend its obligations under the agreement. The court unanimously stated that "none of the grounds" presented by India were justified, emphasizing that the treaty remains fully in force and that India must comply with regulations regarding hydroelectric projects on the western rivers. Following the ruling, a Pakistani government spokesman expressed that Islamabad "welcomed" the PCA's decision amidst escalating tensions between the two countries.