Hague court orders India to uphold Indus Waters Treaty, suspend work on its hydropower project
ISLAMABAD, August 31, 2026: Pakistan has welcomed a unanimous ruling by the Court of Arbitration in The Hague that India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in “abeyance” is not permissible under the treaty or applicable international law.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Government of Pakistan said the Court had issued its Award on the Status of the Indus Waters Treaty and its Decision on Interim Measures to the parties.
The documents themselves have not yet been published by the Court and are expected to be made public within the next week or so, according to the Pakistani government.
The Court concluded unanimously that India’s decision to place the treaty in abeyance was not permissible under the treaty or other applicable rules of international law. It further determined that the treaty has neither been terminated nor suspended and remains fully in force.
The ruling also affirmed that India remains bound by its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty, including provisions governing the design and operation of hydro-electric projects on the Western Rivers and the treaty’s dispute-settlement mechanism.
Pakistan says the treaty remains legally binding on both sides.
Islamabad also welcomed the Court’s decision to impose interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project (RHEP).
According to the Pakistani government, the Court unanimously prohibited India from concreting the RHEP dam wall and power intake structure above specified levels until 90 days after the Neutral Expert delivers a final decision, which is expected in July 2027.
The Court has also ordered India to provide reports concerning the project’s construction schedule until shortly after the Neutral Expert’s final decision.
Pakistan said it welcomes the Court’s determination that interim measures were warranted and the measures imposed as part of the decision.
The Government of Pakistan said it will carefully examine the details of the Award and Decision once they are formally published. Islamabad will also assess how the findings could help create a pathway for renewed engagement between the parties under the Indus Waters Treaty, while respecting the binding legal obligations of both sides.
