The Hague: The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has ruled in favor of Pakistan, declaring its stance on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as legally sound and just, while completely rejecting India’s position.
The landmark decision marks a significant legal, diplomatic, and moral setback for India on the international stage.
The international court affirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement guaranteed by the World Bank.
It ruled that India cannot unilaterally suspend or modify the treaty, validating Pakistan’s position as a correct interpretation of international law.
The court further declared that India cannot arbitrarily store water for any hydropower project on the western rivers and mandated that New Delhi must provide operational data on its water resources to Islamabad.
Specifically, the court directed India to share all relevant technical and hydrological information regarding the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects with Pakistan.
It characterized India’s narrative aimed at suspending or rendering the Indus Waters Treaty ineffective as both unethical and unlawful.
Furthermore, the court accepted Pakistan’s arguments regarding environmental flows and imposed binding responsibilities on India, effectively striking down New Delhi’s attempts to weaponize water resources in the region.
Legal experts noted that India has consistently rejected the PCA’s proceedings due to its weak legal standing.
However, despite the Indian boycott, the court proceeded with the adjudication to deliver this definitive ruling on key legal points.
Pakistan has welcomed the verdict, hailing it as a triumph for international law, impartial justice, and treaty-bound obligations.
