India rejects Hague arbitration award on Indus Waters Treaty, says suspension will continue

NEW DELHI: India on Monday rejected an award by the Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, saying the tribunal has no jurisdiction over India's sovereign decisions and that its decision to hold the treaty in abeyance will continue. The Ministry of External Affairs said the Court of Arbitration was illegally constituted and contrary to the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty. India has not participated in the proceedings and does not recognise the authority of the tribunal, it said.

The Court of Arbitration, in its award, held that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force and that India is required to comply with its obligations under the agreement. India, however, rejected the award, saying the tribunal had no jurisdiction to pronounce on the country's sovereign decisions. The MEA said the court's proceedings, awards and decisions would have no bearing on India's actions concerning its hydroelectric projects, either now or in the future.

India announced its decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack. The MEA said the decision remains in force.
The Court of Arbitration also issued interim measures concerning the 850-MW Ratle hydroelectric project on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. The order restricts certain concreting work on the dam wall and power intake structure above specified levels while issues concerning the project's compliance with the treaty are being considered by a World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert.
India rejected the interim measures as well, maintaining that the tribunal has no authority over its decisions or hydroelectric projects.

Pahalgam fallout

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty was among the measures announced by India following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. India subsequently accelerated work on hydroelectric projects, including Ratle, and took steps to increase water storage capacity.

Pakistan has raised disputes before international legal forums over India's decision to hold the treaty in abeyance and over the design of its hydroelectric projects.

India has previously said that the Indus Waters Treaty needs to be reviewed in view of changed circumstances. It has cited population growth, climate change, changes in water use and technological advances as factors requiring a revision of the agreement.