The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully valid and cannot be suspended or terminated unilaterally by either Pakistan or India.
In its latest decision, the tribunal reaffirmed that the treaty governing the sharing of the Indus river system continues to legally bind both countries.
The dispute originates from Pakistan’s objections to several Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the treaty. Islamabad has consistently argued that India’s run-of-river power projects could affect downstream water flow and harm Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
The PCA had previously issued an award in August 2025 in which it interpreted key provisions of the treaty in Pakistan’s favour. The court stated that India must allow the waters of the western rivers to flow to Pakistan for unrestricted use and emphasized that any exceptions for hydroelectric generation must strictly comply with the treaty’s technical requirements.
The tribunal also reiterated that decisions made by a Court of Arbitration or a Neutral Expert under the Indus Waters Treaty are final and binding on both parties.
India, however, has rejected the proceedings and the authority of the tribunal. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the PCA as an “illegally constituted” body and declared its rulings “null and void” from India’s perspective. He further stated that India’s position on keeping the treaty in abeyance remains unchanged.
Political and diplomatic analysts in Pakistan criticized India’s response, calling it a challenge to international legal norms and institutions. Former ambassador Manzoorul Haq said the ruling represented a significant and binding international decision that should be respected by member states.
He added that India’s refusal to recognize the tribunal’s authority weakens not only the Indus Waters Treaty framework but also the role of the World Bank, which facilitated the agreement between the two countries.
Analysts warn that continued disputes over water resources could further strain relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and create broader regional instability in South Asia.
