Pakistan has welcomed a ruling by an international arbitration court in the long-running dispute between Pakistan and India over the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the decision supports Islamabad’s legal position and rejects India’s attempts to undermine the agreement.
According to the ruling, the Indus Waters Treaty is an international agreement backed by the World Bank and cannot be suspended unilaterally by India.
The court said Pakistan’s interpretation of the treaty was consistent with international law and the legal framework governing the decades-old water-sharing agreement between the two neighbouring countries.
The decision also stated that India could not independently store water under hydropower projects on the western rivers beyond the limits defined in the treaty.
The court directed India to provide Pakistan with operational data related to water resources and to share all technical and hydrological details concerning the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.
According to the ruling, India’s narrative that the treaty could be suspended or rendered ineffective was “illegal” and inconsistent with international obligations.
The arbitration court also accepted Pakistan’s position regarding environmental flows and placed additional responsibilities on India in that regard.
Pakistan said the ruling rejected attempts to use water as a political tool and described India’s actions as a serious violation of international legal commitments under the treaty.
Legal experts said India had repeatedly rejected international proceedings because of what they described as a weak legal position, adding that the court continued its proceedings and issued decisions on key legal points despite India’s boycott.
Pakistan welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for international law, neutrality, and impartial justice.