Court says India must uphold Pakistan water treaty
An international tribunal has ordered India to "observe its obligations" under a water-treaty with Pakistan.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that India must adhere to a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan, a move that comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations. According to the court's unanimous decision, New Delhi must fulfill its obligations under the treaty concerning the Indus and other rivers, which the Indian government attempted to suspend this year.
The court found that none of India's justifications for suspending the treaty were valid and affirmed that the treaty remains fully enforceable. India is still obligated to comply with the terms of the treaty, particularly regarding the design and operation of hydroelectric projects on the western rivers. The treaty governs the use of water from six rivers originating in India but flowing into Pakistan, a vital resource for hundreds of millions of people.
The dispute intensified when India announced in May 2025 that it was suspending its membership in the treaty, citing Islamabad's alleged support for a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan denies backing the attack and accuses India of attempting to weaponize the water resource. Islamabad has warned that any attempt to alter the flow of cross-border waterways could be considered an act of war.
India's rejection of the court's order and Pakistan's acceptance of it highlight the deepening conflict over water rights in the region.
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