Published 3 hours ago • loading... • Updated 24 minutes ago
India Must Uphold Water-Sharing Treaty with Pakistan, Arbitration Court Says
The court said India must keep the treaty in force and halt certain Ratle plant work until a World Bank expert reviews compliance by July 2027.
On Monday, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that India must limit construction on a Kashmir hydroelectric plant and uphold the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which India suspended last year.
India suspended the treaty last year, which ensures water supply to 80% of Pakistani farms, marking a departure from the 1960 agreement both nations had honored despite prior regional conflicts.
Agreeing with Pakistan, the court restricted India from building the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant dam wall above specific levels until 90 days after a World Bank-appointed neutral expert issues a decision.
India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the verdict "categorically," stating the court lacks jurisdiction over sovereign decisions and its pronouncements will have no effect on India's projects.
A neutral expert will determine by July 2027 whether hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan region comply with treaty obligations, while the court affirmed the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully in force.