Pakistan Wins as Indus Waters Treaty Stands
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India remains fully in force, rejecting India’s attempt to place the agreement in abeyance.
The unanimous decision said India had no valid grounds under the treaty or international law to suspend its operation.
The ruling means India remains bound by its obligations under the agreement, including rules governing its hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers. These include the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, which are largely allocated to Pakistan under the treaty.
Alongside its ruling on the treaty, the Court of Arbitration imposed interim measures concerning India’s Ratle Hydroelectric Plant.
The court prohibited India from carrying out certain concreting work on the dam wall and power intake structure above specified levels while the project remains under review.
The restrictions are linked to ongoing proceedings before a World Bank appointed Neutral Expert, who is examining whether the designs of the Ratle and Kishenganga projects comply with the Indus Waters Treaty. The expert’s final decision is currently expected in July 2027.
Pakistan has welcomed the Hague decision as an important affirmation of the Indus Waters Treaty and the legal framework governing the shared rivers. The ruling reinforces the principle that the agreement cannot simply be suspended or terminated unilaterally by either country.
India, however, has rejected the decision, maintaining that the Court of Arbitration lacks jurisdiction and that its decision to keep the treaty in abeyance remains valid. New Delhi has also disputed the authority of the arbitration process in the case.
The ruling nevertheless marks a significant moment in the decades long water relationship between Pakistan and India.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India remains fully in force, rejecting India’s attempt to place the agreement in abeyance.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India remains fully in force, rejecting India’s attempt to place the agreement in abeyance.
The unanimous decision said India had no valid grounds under the treaty or international law to suspend its operation.
The ruling means India remains bound by its obligations under the agreement, including rules governing its hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers. These include the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, which are largely allocated to Pakistan under the treaty.
Alongside its ruling on the treaty, the Court of Arbitration imposed interim measures concerning India’s Ratle Hydroelectric Plant.
The court prohibited India from carrying out certain concreting work on the dam wall and power intake structure above specified levels while the project remains under review.
The restrictions are linked to ongoing proceedings before a World Bank appointed Neutral Expert, who is examining whether the designs of the Ratle and Kishenganga projects comply with the Indus Waters Treaty. The expert’s final decision is currently expected in July 2027.
Pakistan has welcomed the Hague decision as an important affirmation of the Indus Waters Treaty and the legal framework governing the shared rivers. The ruling reinforces the principle that the agreement cannot simply be suspended or terminated unilaterally by either country.
India, however, has rejected the decision, maintaining that the Court of Arbitration lacks jurisdiction and that its decision to keep the treaty in abeyance remains valid. New Delhi has also disputed the authority of the arbitration process in the case.
The ruling nevertheless marks a significant moment in the decades long water relationship between Pakistan and India.
