Pakistan Welcomes Indus Waters Treaty Ruling in Dispute With India
Pakistan has welcomed a recent ruling concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague stating that the decades-old water-sharing agreement between Pakistan and India remains in force.
The court rejected India’s position that the treaty could be unilaterally suspended or placed on hold. According to the ruling, India does not have a legal basis to terminate or suspend its obligations under the agreement.
The decision also includes restrictions related to construction work on the Ratle hydroelectric project in Indian-administered Kashmir while the broader dispute is considered.
A neutral expert appointed through the World Bank process is expected to assess whether the disputed hydropower projects meet the requirements of the Indus Waters Treaty. The assessment is scheduled to be completed by July 2027.
Pakistan has described the ruling as an important development, maintaining that the treaty has neither been terminated nor suspended and that both countries remain subject to its provisions.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 and establishes a framework for managing and sharing the waters of the Indus river system between Pakistan and India. The agreement has remained in place despite periods of political tension and conflict between the two countries.
India, however, has rejected the latest ruling and maintains that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration in the matter.
The dispute over the treaty and hydropower projects remains an important issue in relations between Pakistan and India, with further proceedings expected as the legal and technical questions are examined.
