Pakistan wins Indus waters battle at The Hague, but India threat remains

An international arbitration panel in The Hague has ruled that India must honor the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, rejecting India's attempt to suspend it. The panel prohibited India from exceeding concrete pouring limits on a hydroelectric plant in disputed Kashmir until a neutral expert determines its compliance with the treaty, with a decision expected in July 2027. Pakistan welcomed the ruling, viewing it as a reaffirmation of India's obligations. India, however, rejected the panel's authority, calling it "illegally constituted" and stating its decision to hold the treaty in abeyance remains in force. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, allocates water resources between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and has historically endured periods of hostility. India had sought to suspend the treaty following a terrorist attack in Kashmir in April 2025, but the panel found that allegations of terrorism do not constitute a material breach of the water agreement.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on Monday that India must uphold its suspended water-sharing treaty with Pakistan and limit construction on a hydroelectric plant in Kashmir. India had suspended the treaty, which supplies water to 80% of Pakistani farms, in April of the previous year following an attack in Kashmir. Pakistan denied involvement in the attack and initiated legal action after India began work to increase reservoir capacity at two hydroelectric projects in the region.

India has rejected a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that ordered it to uphold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. New Delhi stated the tribunal lacks jurisdiction over its sovereign decisions, particularly following India's suspension of the accord last April due to security concerns related to an attack in Kashmir. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled on Monday that the treaty remains binding and India had no justification for its suspension. The tribunal also ordered India to limit construction on the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant in Kashmir until a neutral expert delivers a decision, expected by July 2027. India's Ministry of External Affairs categorically rejected the verdict, asserting the court has no authority over India's sovereign choices.