India reaffirmed its position on the Indus Water Treaty, dismissing Pakistan’s objections to two river projects. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the treaty remains suspended until Pakistan halts cross-border terrorism. The MEA emphasized that India has the right to withhold treaty obligations until Pakistan takes concrete action against terrorism.
The MEA’s response followed Pakistan’s accusation that India was weaponizing water through projects like the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel and Salal Dam reservoir maintenance. India also rejected a recent award from an “illegally constituted” Court of Arbitration under the IWT 1960, deeming it null and void. The IWT, signed in 1960, governs the use of the Indus system rivers by both countries.
India had previously suspended the IWT after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, exercising its sovereign rights under international law. The MEA reiterated that India is not bound by treaty obligations during this suspension period. India has consistently challenged the legitimacy of the Court of Arbitration’s decisions, labeling them as illegal and void due to Pakistan’s manipulation of international forums.
