A ruling by an international court has upheld Pakistan's position, directing India to adhere strictly to the Indus Waters Treaty while developing new hydroelectric projects on rivers that flow into Pakistan. The ruling constitutes a major victory for Islamabad in a longstanding water rights dispute.
The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration declared on Monday that India is not allowed to construct hydro-power plants along the Western Rivers with engineering techniques deviating from the treaty's strict regulations. Rather, the construction design will have to strictly follow the treaty's requirements, which reserve three rivers running west for Pakistan.
Pakistan is also dependent upon these rivers, with 80% of its hydroelectric power and agriculture relying on them. Islamabad had brought the case in 2023 with its fears that India's projects might strangle Pakistan's primary water supply.
India's foreign ministry has not responded directly to the court's ruling. But an Indian official referred to a June statement reaffirming India's stance that it does not legally accept the Court of Arbitration.
The rivalry has escalated since last April, when India said it would put the treaty "in abeyance" after a lethal attack on Indian-held Kashmir, which New Delhi attributed to Pakistan. Islamabad had protested its innocence. The tensions broke out into earnest combat in May and ended only with a cease-fire arranged by then-US President Donald Trump.
Pakistani Attorney General Mansoor Usman welcomed the ruling, stating it is mostly in line with Pakistan's demands, particularly the shape of India's hydroelectric projects. He pointed out that India is now legally prohibited from going ahead with any projects contrary to the court's order.
Pakistani foreign ministry also reiterated this, noting the court's order that India should "let flow" the waters of the three Western Rivers freely, maintaining Pakistan's unrestricted access.
The court emphasized that its decision is definitive and binding on both countries, indicating that efforts to circumvent the treaty can have far-reaching international consequences.
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