New Delhi: India has rejected the latest decision issued by the so-called Court of Arbitration (CoA) on the Indus Waters Treaty, maintaining that the body itself was created in violation of the treaty and therefore has no legal standing in the country’s view.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, India said it does not recognise the arbitration panel and has consistently opposed its constitution. The government reiterated that the panel was established by the World Bank despite what India describes as a clear breach of the provisions governing the Indus Waters Treaty.
According to India, the latest award concerning interim measures and the status of the treaty carries no validity for the country. New Delhi said it had rejected earlier pronouncements by the same body and had never participated in proceedings before it.
The government further asserted that the arbitration panel cannot exercise authority over India’s sovereign decisions, particularly those relating to projects being developed within the country. It maintained that any observations or rulings issued by the body, whether now or in the future, would not influence India’s actions concerning such projects.
India also made it clear that its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance continues to remain in effect.
The latest development comes amid the long-running disagreement between India and Pakistan over the interpretation and implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty and the mechanisms available for resolving disputes under the agreement.
