India rejects the proceedings of the International Court of Arbitration

Issue of Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty

New Delhi – Since India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty itself, it is under no obligation to respond to any institution established under that treaty. In these words, India has rejected the proceedings of the International Court of Arbitration set up under the Indus Waters Treaty. India has also made it clear that “we do not recognize the legitimacy of this court and will not participate in any of its proceedings.”

The Court of Arbitration had scheduled hearings on 2–3 February at the Peace Palace in the Netherlands. It had also ordered the submission of “pondage logbook” documents related to India’s Baglihar and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects. India has refused to respond to these orders. In its order dated 24 January 2026, the tribunal had stated that if India did not appear, Pakistan alone would present arguments during the hearings.

India maintains that the present dispute is of a technical nature. Whenever any technical dispute arises regarding the waters of the Indus River, a mechanism for resolution through neutral (impartial) experts has been provided. This provision is already specified in the Indus Waters Treaty. A neutral expert is not a court of law, but an independent and impartial technical specialist who gives opinions on water-related technical issues.