Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday welcomed the Court of Arbitration’s ruling that India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in “abeyance” was not permissible under the treaty or international law.
In a post on X, Asif said the court had unanimously ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty remained fully in force and that India was still bound by its obligations under the agreement.
He said the ruling had vindicated Pakistan’s position on the treaty.
The court examined several grounds that could potentially justify the suspension or termination of the treaty, including sovereignty, an alleged material breach, terrorism allegations, a fundamental change in circumstances, armed conflict and countermeasures.
According to the ruling, none of these grounds justified India’s decision to put the treaty in abeyance.
On India’s terrorism-related claims, the court said that even if the allegations were assumed to be true for the purpose of its analysis, they would not amount to a material breach of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Asif described the ruling as another setback for India, saying Pakistan’s position had once again been upheld.
“After humiliating comprehensive defeat on the battle front last year, India bites the dust again in the permanent court of arbitration,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty had been vindicated.
The Court of Arbitration also noted that under the treaty’s own provisions, it would remain in force unless India and Pakistan jointly agreed to modify or terminate it through another treaty.
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