India rejects Indus Waters award, says treaty remains in abeyance; ‘illegal’ court has no say in its actions

India has rejected an award issued by the so-called Court of Arbitration concerning interim measures and the status of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the body “illegally constituted”, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The award was issued by the Court of Arbitration on Monday.

According to the MEA, the body was constituted by the World Bank in violation of the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty. India has reiterated that it does not recognise the existence in law of the Court of Arbitration.


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“India categorically rejects its so-called award, just as it has firmly rejected all prior pronouncements by this illegally constituted body,” the MEA said.

The ministry said India has consistently maintained that the establishment of the Court of Arbitration constitutes a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. India has never appeared before the body and has refused to take cognisance of its earlier pronouncements, according to the MEA.

The MEA also said the Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction to rule on India's sovereign decisions.

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“This so-called Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction whatsoever to pronounce on India’s sovereign decisions,” the ministry said.

According to the MEA, the body's pronouncements, including its latest award and any future decisions, will have no effect on India's actions concerning projects being undertaken by the country.

The ministry reiterated that India's decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force.

“India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force,” the MEA said.

Pakistan backs arbitration order

Pakistan has welcomed the Hague Court of Arbitration order and said it directs India to suspend work on hydro projects and uphold the Indus Waters Treaty.

The Pakistan government said it would examine the details of the order and assess how it could help create a pathway back to engagement under the treaty.

India, meanwhile, has maintained that the so-called Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction and that its pronouncements cannot affect India's sovereign actions.