India Declares Arbitration Court Under Indus Waters Treaty ‘Illegal,’ Rejects Authority

India has rejected the Court of Arbitration established under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, labeling it as illegal. The government has also declared that it does not recognize the court’s authority. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the court, which was purportedly constituted under the treaty, has issued a ‘supplemental award’ concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. India maintains that the court’s formation is a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, and therefore, any proceedings or decisions made by it are illegal and void. India has rejected the ‘supplemental award’ as it has rejected all prior pronouncements of this body. Additionally, the Indian government plans to divert water intended for Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty for use in Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The Jal Shakti Ministry is actively working on infrastructure development to implement this decision, aiming to utilize the water to address shortages in these states. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of utilizing India’s water resources for the benefit of India.