India has firmly rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) August 8, 2025, ruling on the Indus Waters Treaty, stating it does not recognise the court’s jurisdiction regarding the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects.
The Indian government maintains that the arbitration process was unilaterally initiated by Pakistan, violating the treaty’s dispute resolution mechanism and undermining bilateral dialogue. Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India placed the treaty in abeyance citing serious security concerns linked to cross-border terrorism. India insists that any resumption of treaty obligations must be contingent upon Pakistan decisively addressing terrorism support and abiding by established dispute mechanisms.
The situation underscores the fragile nature of Indo-Pak relations, where water-sharing agreements intersect complex political and security challenges.
PCA’s Binding Award Upholds Pakistan’s Interpretation
The PCA’s August 8 award clarified that India must comply strictly with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty rather than impose unilateral standards on hydropower projects’ design and operation. Pakistan had challenged India’s construction of run-of-river hydropower plants on the western rivers, which Pakistan alleges reduce water flow downstream.
The court agreed with Pakistan, stating that India’s exceptions for hydropower generation are limited and must not violate Pakistan’s water rights. The PCA reaffirmed its jurisdiction despite India’s April suspension of the treaty and refusal to participate fully in the proceedings.
This ruling marks a significant legal victory for Pakistan, as the arbitration’s decisions are final and binding under international law. Islamabad expects India to abide by the award and immediately resume data sharing and cooperation under the treaty.
A Historic Treaty Under Strain Amid Political and Security Crises
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has been regarded as a rare example of resilience and cooperation between India and Pakistan. It divides control of six rivers, granting India rights over the eastern rivers and Pakistan rights over the western rivers, with limited non-consumptive uses allowed for each side.
However, tensions escalated sharply after the April 2025 terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, leading India to suspend the treaty and halt water releases from the western rivers. Pakistan condemned the suspension as a violation of international law and threatened to consider any attempt to block its water supply as an act of war. This has led to military skirmishes along the border and heightened fears of a wider conflict.
Pakistan’s Call for Dialogue and Regional Stability
Following the PCA ruling, Pakistan’s Foreign Office called on India to “immediately resume” the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty and to comply fully with the arbitration award. Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to the treaty and stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation to ensure water security for millions depending on the river systems.
Pakistani officials point out that climate change and growing water scarcity make transparent management and peaceful dialogue imperative. The treaty’s survival depends on mutual respect and adherence to agreed mechanisms rather than unilateral suspensions or escalations.
Pakistan’s military leadership also issued stern warnings against any unilateral Indian dam projects that may disrupt water flows, further escalating the rhetoric.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Indus Waters Treaty stands as a beacon of cooperation amid decades of hostility between India and Pakistan. Water is a fundamental resource that sustains life and livelihoods on both sides of the border and should never be weaponized or politicized.
The recent ruling by the international arbitration court reinforces the legal and moral basis of the treaty and calls for a return to dialogue rooted in respect, transparency, and humanitarian values. In a region increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, joint stewardship of shared water resources can serve as a powerful catalyst for peace and regional stability.
