India halts Indus Water Treaty, declares Pakistan's Court of Arbitration move illegal

India has completely rejected the supplementary decision issued by the Court of Arbitration related to Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Both these dams are located on the Indus river system. This decision has come at a time when India temporarily suspended the Indus Water Treaty after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India said that India has never recognized the existence of this court, and its formation is a violation of the basic provisions of the treaty. India has also made it clear that until Pakistan credibly and permanently ends cross-border terrorism, it is not bound to follow any provision of the Indus Water Treaty.

The MEA said that an illegal arbitration court, which claims its legitimacy under the Indus Water Treaty 1960, has delivered a supplementary award on the Kishanganga and Ratle projects in Jammu and Kashmir. India has never legally recognised this court. The formation of this court itself is a serious violation of the Indus Water Treaty, therefore India considers any of its decisions or proceedings illegal and invalid.

India has made it clear that this move at the behest of Pakistan is a new drama, which is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to escape its responsibilities as a global hub of terrorism. The statement said that this fabricated arbitration mechanism presented by Pakistan is part of its long history of deception and manipulation at international forums. Therefore, India completely rejects this so-called supplementary award, as it has done with all the earlier declarations of this body.

MEA has informed that after the death of 26 people in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has suspended the treaty exercising its right as a sovereign nation. The ministry clarified that until Pakistan permanently and credibly ends its support to cross-border terrorism, India is not bound to follow any part of this treaty.

Pakistan's allegations and India's response

Pakistan has raised objections to the construction of India's 330 MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project on the Jhelum river and the 850 MW Ratle dam project on the Chenab river. It is concerned about the water flow of these projects and the possible impacts on its water resources. This concern arises from the fact that both the projects are located on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, which flow through Pakistan's territory.

Pakistan says that the hydroelectric projects are violating the Indus Water Treaty. Along with this, it is also concerned that the construction of dams will reduce the availability of water downstream, which will have a negative impact on its irrigated agriculture, which is highly dependent on these rivers.

India has clearly stated that these dams are completely legal according to the rules of the treaty. Under the treaty, India is allowed to build dams for power generation on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, provided that it does not unnecessarily obstruct the flow of water.

India's letter to World Bank expert

India has sent a letter to World Bank-appointed neutral expert Michel Leno requesting that the dispute proceedings related to the Kishanganga and Ratle projects be temporarily postponed. Pakistan has to submit its written arguments in August, and a joint meeting of both sides was scheduled in November, but India has sought to postpone this meeting.