Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Indus Water Treaty: India cannot quit, tribunal says
An international tribunal ordered India on Monday to observe its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and said New Delhi had no grounds to suspend or terminate the pact.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration, based in The Hague, also prohibited India from carrying out works at two hydroelectric projects that could breach the 1960 treaty.
The treaty governs the use of water from six rivers whose headwaters originate in India but flow into Pakistan as part of the Indus basin. The basin is relied on by hundreds of millions of people.
India immediately rejected the tribunal's decision. Its foreign ministry said India “categorically rejects” what it called the tribunal's “so-called award” and said its decision to hold the treaty in abeyance remained in force.
Pakistan welcomed the ruling. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on X that the decision “vindicates Pakistan's consistent position that a binding international treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended or set aside”.
The court said it had unanimously found that none of the grounds put forward by India could justify suspension or termination of the treaty. It said the treaty remained fully in force and that India must observe its obligations, including those relating to the design and operation of hydroelectric projects on the western rivers.
Pakistan also welcomed interim measures requiring India to pause work on a dam wall for a hydroelectric project and provide regular construction updates until an expert gives a final ruling expected next year.
India said in May 2025 that it was suspending its membership of the treaty after accusing Islamabad of backing a deadly attack on tourists on the Indian side of Kashmir. Pakistan denied the accusation.
The Indus cuts through contested Kashmir, a Himalayan territory claimed in full by both India and Pakistan.
Update
The Permanent Court of Arbitration prohibited India from carrying out works at two hydroelectric projects that could breach the treaty.
The tribunal imposed interim measures requiring India to pause work on a dam wall and provide regular construction updates until an expert ruling expected next year.
Pakistan welcomed the decision, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar saying it vindicated Pakistan's position.
The tribunal said none of India's stated grounds justified suspension or termination of the treaty.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 15:44:17 UTC.
Update
India's foreign ministry said India categorically rejected the tribunal's award.
India described the tribunal as an illegally constituted body.
India said its decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 14:45:58 UTC.
Update
Pakistan welcomed the Court of Arbitration decision in The Hague.
Pakistan said interim measures were warranted.
The decision required India to pause work on a dam project, according to the item.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 14:49:39 UTC.
Update
The tribunal said India had no justified grounds to suspend or terminate the Indus Waters Treaty.
The tribunal prohibited India from carrying out works at two hydro-electric projects that could breach the treaty.
Pakistan welcomed the ruling, while India immediately rejected it.
India said in May 2025 it was suspending participation after accusing Pakistan of backing a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir; Pakistan denied the charge.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 14:50:34 UTC.
Update
India rejected the tribunal decision on the water-sharing treaty with Pakistan.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 14:35:46 UTC.
Update
Pakistan said it welcomed the Hague decision on the water-sharing treaty with India.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 14:39:16 UTC.
Update
The Permanent Court of Arbitration ordered India to observe its obligations under the water-sharing treaty with Pakistan.
The tribunal unanimously found that none of India’s stated grounds were justified.
The tribunal said India’s hydro-electric projects on the Indus and associated rivers must conform to the treaty.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 14:26:43 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
India rejected the tribunal's authority, and its compliance with the order remains unresolved.
A final expert ruling on the hydroelectric project measures is expected next year.
Responsibility for the tourist attack cited by India remains disputed.
Source
AFP news report published on .