New Delhi: In a strong diplomatic statement, the Government of India has categorically rejected the recent ruling by a so-called “Court of Arbitration” concerning the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that not only was the tribunal constituted in violation of legal norms, but all its proceedings and rulings carry no legal standing whatsoever.
In an official press release, the MEA said, “Today, a purported ‘Court of Arbitration’—illegally constituted under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty—has claimed to issue an ‘additional award’ regarding the legality of India’s Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. India does not recognize the legitimacy or existence of this tribunal in any form.”
The ministry further emphasized that the very formation of this tribunal is a serious breach of the Indus Waters Treaty. “The proceedings are illegal, and any outcomes or decisions are therefore null and void,” the statement added.
India also confirmed that, following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, it has temporarily suspended the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, exercising its sovereign rights. “Until Pakistan verifiably and permanently ends cross-border terrorism, India will not consider itself bound by the terms of the treaty,” the MEA stated.
India has described the arbitration process as yet another attempt by Pakistan to mislead the global community. “This latest maneuver by Pakistan is part of its long-standing strategy of manipulating international platforms for its own political agenda,” the MEA noted. “The so-called Court of Arbitration is merely the latest manifestation of Pakistan’s legacy of misinformation and deception.”
This firm stance signals a significant escalation in India’s approach to the Indus Waters Treaty and may have broader implications for bilateral relations and regional water diplomacy.
