India Rejects Court of Arbitration Ruling on Indus Waters Treaty, Calls It Legally Invalid

India has strongly rejected a ruling by the World Bank-constituted Court of Arbitration over the Indus Waters Treaty, questioning the tribunal’s authority and calling its decisions legally invalid. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a social media post that India has never recognised the arbitration panel, did not participate in its proceedings and would not be bound by its rulings.

New Delhi also reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance.

Court of Arbitration Ruling

The statement came after the Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that India’s reasons for putting the treaty on hold did not justify its suspension or termination. The panel called on India to continue observing its obligations under the 1960 water-sharing agreement.

India, however, rejected the ruling, arguing that the arbitration panel itself was established in violation of the terms of the treaty. The MEA said the panel has no jurisdiction whatsoever over India’s sovereign decisions concerning the treaty or its infrastructure projects.

India’s Position on the Indus Waters Treaty

New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, citing national security concerns and continued cross-border terrorism.

India has maintained that its decision on the treaty is a sovereign matter and that statements or rulings by the arbitration panel will not affect its actions related to water and infrastructure projects.