NEW YORK: In a special report released in New York, United Nations experts have declared India’s Operation Sindoor a violation of international law and urged India to act in good faith under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The UN has formally sought explanations from India regarding its unilateral actions.
The report condemned the Pahalgam attack and stressed that those responsible must be punished according to law, while noting that Pakistan denied any involvement and called for impartial and transparent investigations.
According to the report, on 7 May 2025, India used force inside Pakistani territory without properly notifying the UN Security Council under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which constitutes a procedural violation.
The experts stated that Indian strikes hit civilian areas, damaged mosques, and caused civilian casualties.
They emphasized that India failed to present credible evidence of Pakistan’s state involvement in the attack and warned that unilateral use of force under the pretext of counterterrorism has no legal basis and risks wider conflict.
The UN experts further stated that India’s actions violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and the principle of non-intervention.
The report criticized India for avoiding arbitration processes and challenging the jurisdiction of the Indus Waters Treaty.
India has been asked to provide explanations, consider reparations and an apology, comply with treaty obligations in good faith, and take steps to prevent further human harm.
The UN has given India 60 days to respond, after which its replies will be published and presented before the UN Human Rights Council.
