Indus Waters Treaty: India rejects Hague court ruling in Pakistan’s favour

Following the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) ruling, India has officially rejected the decision. In a statement, the Indian foreign ministry said, “India categorically rejects its so-called award, just as it has firmly rejected all prior pronouncements by this illegally constituted body.” The statement added that India's decision to hold the treaty in 'abeyance' remains in force.

The PCA's ruling had provided further legal details, noting that the term 'abeyance' has no technical meaning under international treaty law and that the treaty can only be modified or terminated by mutual agreement. The court explicitly rejected India's arguments based on sovereignty, citing the principle of pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept).

The tribunal also established a reporting mechanism requiring India to provide information on the construction schedule of the Ratle project. The final determination from the Neutral Expert on the project's compliance is expected in July 2027.

In response to the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling on the Indus Waters Treaty, political figure Khurram Dastgir has provided his analysis on the matter. His comments follow the court's decision, which affirmed the treaty's validity and placed interim restrictions on India's Ratle hydro-electric project.

Pakistan has officially welcomed the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague concerning the Indus Waters Treaty. Speaking on August 31, Pakistan's Indus Waters Commissioner, Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, which affirmed the treaty's validity and imposed restrictions on India's Ratle hydro-electric project.

Following its ruling upholding the Indus Waters Treaty, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has imposed specific interim measures on India regarding the construction of the Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Indian-administered Kashmir.

According to the government of Pakistan, the court has prohibited India from carrying out concrete work on the dam's main wall and its power intake structure above certain specified levels.

These restrictions are set to remain in place until 90 days after a Neutral Expert, appointed by the World Bank, delivers a final determination on the project's technical compliance with the treaty. The expert's decision is expected by July 2027. The court has also instituted a reporting requirement for the ongoing construction of the project.