New Delhi witnessed a strong statement from India on August 31, as the government rejected an award issued by the Court of Arbitration related to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared that the Court of Arbitration had been illegally constituted by the World Bank, violating the treaty's terms.
"Today, the illegally constituted so-called Court of Arbitration (CoA) has issued what it termed as an award concerning Interim Measures and Status of the Indus Waters Treaty. 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 MEA stated.
India has never admitted the Court's legal existence and maintained that its formation breaches the Indus Waters Treaty.
Consequently, India has never engaged with this body and disregards all its previous decisions. The MEA emphasized that the Court lacks any jurisdiction to influence India's sovereign choices, especially concerning hydro-electric projects.
India also reiterated that its suspension of treaty obligations remains valid, highlighting its stance since last year.
This statement came after the Court of Arbitration issued orders about interim measures and clarified the treaty's status, particularly regarding the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant's design and operation on the Western Rivers.
Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, governs the use of waters from the Indus river system between India and Pakistan.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack last year, India suspended its treaty obligations until Pakistan ceases support for cross-border terrorism.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed that India maintains the treaty in abeyance, awaiting Pakistan's credible commitment to end terrorism across its borders.
"We have suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and kept it in abeyance until Pakistan completely stops cross-border terrorism," Jaiswal said during a media briefing in New Delhi.
