New Delhi, India, August 31 — India on Monday rejected a ruling delivered by a World Bank-constituted Court of Arbitration concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the panel an “illegally constituted” body and making clear that New Delhi’s decision to keep the water-sharing pact in abeyance “will remain in force.”
In a sharp diplomatic rebuke, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) questioned the tribunal’s legitimacy and reaffirmed India’s position on its sovereignty over national security and infrastructure decisions.
“This so-called Court was constituted by the World Bank in patent breach of the terms of the Treaty and India categorically rejects its so-called award, just as it has firmly rejected all prior pronouncements by this illegally constituted body,” the ministry stated.
The MEA said India has rejected the proceedings from the outset.
“India has never recognised the existence in law of this illegally constituted and so-called Court of Arbitration, and has consistently maintained that the very establishment of this alleged arbitral body constitutes a grave violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. Accordingly, India has never appeared before this body and has refused to take any cognisance of its earlier pronouncements,” the MEA stated.
The ministry further asserted that the arbitration panel has no “jurisdiction whatsoever to pronounce on India’s sovereign decisions.”
“Its pronouncements, now or in the future, will have no effect on India’s actions in connection with the projects being undertaken by India,” the MEA asserted.
India’s response came after the arbitration panel said New Delhi’s rationale for putting the water agreement on hold did not “justify suspension or termination.” The court said the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force and that India must continue to observe its obligations under the agreement.
New Delhi placed the historic water-sharing arrangement in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack in April of the previous year. India has cited national security concerns in defending its decision.
Pakistan has strongly opposed the suspension, describing it as an “act of war” and repeatedly warning that water is a “red line.”
Despite Pakistan’s objections and efforts to challenge India’s position through international legal forums, New Delhi has maintained that its national security considerations take precedence.
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