Court says India must uphold Pakistan water treaty

An international tribunal has ordered India to “observe its obligations” under a water-treaty with Pakistan.

https://p.dw.com/p/5JhzO

Water flows from the Lower Jehlum Hydel Project Dam (LJHP) over the Jhelum River in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India
The court said India’s construction of hydroelectric projects on the Indus and associated rivers had to conform to the treaty [FILE: May 2025]Image: Nasir Kachroo/picture alliance/NurPhoto

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has ordered India to uphold a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan which has led to a recent increase in tensions between the two neighbors.

The PCA said New Delhi must “observe its obligations” under the treaty with on the sharing of the Indus and other rivers, which the Indian government this year sought to suspend.

In a statement, the court found unanimously found that “none of the grounds” put forward by India were justified and “concluded that the Treaty […] remains fully in force.”

The court noted that India “remains bound by the obligations incumbent upon it,” particularly regarding the design and operation of “hydroelectric projects on the western rivers.”

It said India’s construction of hydroelectric projects on the Indus and associated rivers had to conform to the treaty. 

A Pakistani government spokesman said Islamabad “welcomed” the PCA order.

More to follow …

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *