India rejects Court of Arbitration ruling on Indus Waters Treaty

India categorically rejected the latest ruling issued by what it termed an “illegally constituted” Court of Arbitration (CoA) on matters related to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that any decision by the body is “null and void”.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the so-called Court of Arbitration had issued an “award” on May 15 concerning maximum pondage supplemental to the award on issues of general interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty.



“The illegally constituted so-called Court of Arbitration (CoA) has, on 15 May 2026, issued what it termed an award concerning maximum pondage supplemental to the award on issues of general interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty,” the statement said.

India said it has never recognised the establishment of the arbitration body and firmly rejected all its previous pronouncements.

“India categorically rejects the present so-called award, just as it has firmly rejected all prior pronouncements of the illegally constituted CoA,” the MEA said.

Reiterating its position, New Delhi said any proceeding, award or decision issued by the body carries no legal validity.

“India has never recognised the establishment of this so-called CoA. Any proceeding, award, or decision issued by it is null and void,” the statement added.

India also maintained that its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance continues to remain in force.