India has rejected the recent award from the Hague-based Court of Arbitration under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, deeming it “null and void” due to concerns about the court’s constitution. New Delhi has refused to participate in the court’s proceedings, citing its belief that the court was improperly constituted and any awards issued are invalid.
The Court of Arbitration issued an award on water storage at Indian hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin, which India rejected, maintaining that the treaty remains in abeyance. This decision aligns with India’s stance since April 2025, emphasizing that the treaty cannot compel one party to fulfill obligations while the other supports violence.
Following a terror attack last year, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ceases support for cross-border terrorism. Despite past conflicts and terror attacks, India has consistently honored its treaty obligations, while Pakistan has utilized dispute mechanisms to impede Indian projects.
India has suspended cooperation under the treaty, including data-sharing and engagement with dispute resolution mechanisms, while ensuring water flow to Pakistan remains uninterrupted. These measures are reversible upon Pakistan meeting India’s conditions, contrasting with Pakistan’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric.
