An international arbitration panel in The Hague has ruled that India must comply with the terms of a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan, rejecting New Delhi’s attempt to suspend the agreement. The ruling, issued Monday, comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries and marks a significant legal victory for Pakistan.
The panel, acting on Pakistan’s request, prohibited India from advancing construction beyond specified levels on the Ratle hydropower project located in the disputed Kashmir region. These restrictions will remain effective until 90 days after a World Bank-appointed neutral expert determines whether the plant’s design aligns with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty. The expert’s final decision is expected by July 2027.
Pakistan welcomed the decision as a reaffirmation of India’s obligations under the treaty, describing the temporary restrictions on the Ratle dam as justified. The Pakistani government expressed hope that the ruling would facilitate a return to dialogue based on the treaty’s legal framework.
India, however, rejected the panel’s authority. The Ministry of External Affairs characterized the body as “illegally constituted” and stated that India had never recognized its jurisdiction or participated in its proceedings. Officials reiterated that India’s suspension of the treaty remains in effect, arguing that the tribunal was established in violation of treaty terms.
The Court of Arbitration’s summary emphasized that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty remains legally binding for both parties and contains no provision permitting unilateral suspension or termination. Any amendments or cessation would require mutual consent through a new agreement. The panel instructed India to continue fulfilling its obligations, including restrictions on hydroelectric projects along rivers flowing into Pakistan.
The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, divides the waters of six rivers between the two neighbors: India controls the eastern Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan has rights over the western Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers. Under the treaty, India is allowed limited use of the western rivers, primarily for run-of-river hydroelectric projects that meet designated conditions.
Despite ongoing conflicts and hostilities, the treaty has been regarded as one of the region’s most durable accords. Pakistan, which depends heavily on the Indus River system for agriculture and other vital needs, has warned that any disruption to its water supplies could threaten regional stability.
India’s decision to suspend the treaty in April 2025 followed a militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. New Delhi blamed Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism and stated the treaty would remain suspended until Islamabad ended such support. Pakistan denied involvement and offered to engage in an independent investigation.
The attack led to a sharp decline in diplomatic relations, including downgraded ties, border closures, visa revocations, and cross-border military exchanges in May 2025, followed by a ceasefire. However, relations have remained largely frozen since then.
The arbitration panel dismissed India’s justification for suspension, ruling that allegations of terrorism, even if true, do not constitute a breach of the water treaty, which contains no provisions concerning acts of terrorism or the use of force. It also rejected arguments related to national sovereignty, evolving circumstances, increased demand for energy, advances in dam technology, and climate change as insufficient grounds for unilateral treaty suspension under international law.