The Permanent Court of Arbitration rules that India must uphold the Indus Waters Treaty despite unilateral suspension
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a unanimous ruling that India must continue to observe its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty. The court rejected all arguments provided by India to justify its decision to place the treaty in abeyance since April 2025. While India moved to suspend the agreement following a militant attack in Kashmir, the court found that no rule of international law allows a state to unilaterally suspend a treaty based on sovereign rights alone. Pakistan welcomed the ruling, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stating that the award vindicates Pakistan's position that a binding international treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended. The court also ordered India to limit construction on the Ratle hydroelectric plant in Kashmir until a neutral expert delivers a final decision by July 2027. India categorically rejected the verdict, stating that the court has no jurisdiction over its sovereign decisions. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the court's pronouncements will have no effect on India's actions regarding its ongoing projects. India maintains that the treaty remains in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border attacks.
Sources
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Pakistan wins Indus waters battle at The Hague, but India threat remains
Al Jazeera
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India rejects court order to uphold decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan
CNBC
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Hague decision
Dawn