What happened?
On 28 June 2025, India rejected a “supplemental award” issued by a Court of Arbitration formed under the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it illegal and void. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the tribunal’s very formation violates the 1960 treaty. The case concerns the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India placed the treaty in abeyance, asserting that until Pakistan halts cross-border terrorism, India is not obligated to comply with its provisions.
Why it matters to India
India’s rejection reinforces its stance on sovereignty and counter-terrorism. By putting the treaty in abeyance, India asserts pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure. This diplomatic move not only safeguards India’s developmental interests in J&K but also sends a strong message globally that India will not entertain arbitration mechanisms that undermine its security or legal rights. It highlights India’s strategic use of treaty obligations in response to terrorism-linked provocations.