India Rejects 'Supplemental Award' on Indus Waters Treaty

On 27th June 2025, India firmly rejected a so-called “supplemental award” issued by an allegedly illegal Court of Arbitration constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty, relating to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

India Declares Arbitration Invalid:The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that both the award and all prior rulings of the arbitral tribunal are “illegal and void” due to the tribunal’s formation in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.
Treaty Placed in Abeyance:Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India has placed the treaty in abeyance, invoking sovereign rights under international law until Pakistan ceases cross-border terrorism.
MEA Criticizes Pakistan’s Tactics:India condemned Pakistan’s use of an “illegally fabricated arbitration mechanism” as an attempt to deflect attention from its role in promoting terrorism globally.
No Obligation to Comply:As per MEA, any proceedings or awards by this tribunal lack jurisdiction or legal standing during the abeyance period.
Historical Context:The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, governs the use of waters from the Indus river system, but tensions have grown in recent years over infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir.