India on Monday rejected an award issued by the Court of Arbitration in The Hague over the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the body was “illegally constituted” and has no jurisdiction over India’s sovereign decisions.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Court of Arbitration was set up by the World Bank in violation of the terms of the treaty. India said it has never recognised the legal existence of the body and has consistently rejected its proceedings and earlier pronouncements. India also said it has never appeared before the Court of Arbitration and has refused to take any notice of its earlier decisions. The court has no authority to rule on India’s sovereign decisions, according to the government. Kwatra said India placed the treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack, exercising its rights under international law until Pakistan credibly ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
It added that any present or future pronouncements by the body would have no effect on India’s actions, including projects being undertaken by the country. He cited several past terror attacks and accused Pakistan of obstructing Indian hydropower projects through delays and opposition.
The latest statement is in line with India’s earlier position that the Court of Arbitration was not validly constituted under the treaty and that its decisions have no bearing on India’s actions.
