India Dismisses International Court Ruling on Indus Waters Treaty, Calls Court ‘Illegally Constituted’

In a significant diplomatic move, India has firmly rejected the ruling of an international court regarding the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, labeling the court as ‘illegally constituted.’ The Permanent Court of Arbitration, based in The Hague, had ruled earlier that the treaty remains valid and that India is required to adhere to its obligations under the agreement.

The court’s interim order specifically instructed India to refrain from constructing certain facilities associated with the Ratle hydroelectric project located in Jammu and Kashmir. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that its decision to suspend the treaty is still in effect. This stance was taken after a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic loss of 26 lives, compelling India to reevaluate its commitments under the treaty.

India’s decision to pause its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty was framed as a necessary measure until Pakistan ceases its alleged support for cross-border terrorism. The treaty, established in 1960, governs the water distribution of the Indus River system, and India’s suspension has raised concerns regarding the stability of water-sharing agreements in the region.

Since the suspension, India has accelerated the development of various hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Ratle and Kishenganga projects, which Pakistan has contested under the treaty provisions. Pakistan had previously sought the establishment of an arbitration court concerning these projects, leading to the recent ruling that India has now dismissed.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that India has not recognized the authority of the arbitration court, asserting that the country’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance remains unaltered. This ongoing tension highlights the complexities surrounding water rights and terrorism, and the potential ramifications for bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

Source: scroll.in