India rejects arbitration court ruling on Indus Waters Treaty as ‘null and void’

The treaty governs the use of water from the Indus river system between India and Pakistan

India has rejected the latest ruling issued by a court of arbitration constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as “null and void” and reiterating that it does not recognise the body’s authority, NDTV has reported.

In a response to media queries on Saturday, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the “illegally constituted” court had issued what it termed an award on maximum pondage, supplementary to an earlier ruling on interpretation issues under the treaty.

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

He added that India had never recognised the establishment of the court and maintained that any proceedings, decisions or awards issued by it had no legal standing, said NDTV.

India also said its decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remained in force.

The treaty, signed by India and Pakistan in September 1960, governs the use of water from the Indus river system between the two countries.

New Delhi had earlier suspended its obligations under the agreement, citing security concerns and alleging Pakistan’s support for “cross-border terrorism” after the Pahalgam attacks, NDTV said.

India has previously objected to arbitration proceedings linked to the Kishenganga Hydroelectric Project and Ratle Hydroelectric Project, arguing that the mechanism itself violated the treaty framework.

Pakistan has sought arbitration over disputes relating to the projects, while India has repeatedly maintained that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction over the matter.