NEW DELHI, June 28: India on Friday categorically rejected a so-called “supplemental award” issued by a Court of Arbitration that it described as “illegally constituted” under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, asserting that the tribunal has no legal standing or jurisdiction over the matter.
The statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came in response to the court’s pronouncement concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India maintains that the formation of this court itself violates the fundamental provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, and hence, all rulings by it are “illegal and void.”
“The so-called Court of Arbitration lacks legitimacy,” the MEA said. “India has never recognized its authority. Its constitution is in breach of the Indus Waters Treaty, which clearly outlines the dispute resolution mechanisms.”
India further asserted that it has placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, invoking sovereign rights under international law, in response to Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism. The MEA stated that until Pakistan “demonstrably ceases its support for terrorism,” India is not obligated to adhere to the treaty’s provisions. Consequently, any proceedings or awards issued during this period lack legal or diplomatic relevance.
The government strongly condemned Pakistan’s actions, calling the arbitration a “fabricated mechanism” designed to distract from Islamabad’s failure to curb terrorism emanating from its territory. “This is yet another attempt by Pakistan to misuse international platforms and avoid accountability for its role as a global hub of terrorism,” the MEA added.
India reiterated its commitment to responsible water management under bilateral agreements but emphasized that it would not entertain any processes initiated through what it views as unauthorized or politically motivated legal forums.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the use of shared rivers between India and Pakistan. The ongoing disagreement over hydroelectric projects on the western rivers has been a point of contention, but India maintains that all its projects are in accordance with the treaty’s technical and legal parameters.
