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AMSTERDAM, Aug 31, 2026: India must uphold a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan it suspended amid bilateral tensions \u200band must limit work on a hydroelectric plant it is building in the \u200cKashmir region, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said on Monday.<\/strong><\/p>\n India in April last year suspended the treaty that ensures water supply to 80% of Pakistani farms.<\/p>\n Islamabad took legal action after India last year also began work to boost reservoir \u200bholding capacity at two hydroelectric projects in the Kashmir region.<\/p>\n This was seen as a first \u200btangible step by India to operate outside agreements covered by the Indus Waters Treaty between the two countries, which both have honoured since 1960 despite three wars and several other conflicts between them.<\/p>\n The Permanent \u200bCourt of Arbitration said the Indus Water Treaty remained fully in force, as India had \u200bno justification for ending or suspending the agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia must observe its obligations under the Treaty, including those \u200crelating \u2060to the design and operation of its hydro-electric projects on the Western Rivers,\u201d the intergovernmental court said.<\/p>\n India, which is officially a member of the court, said it did not recognise the court and \u201ccategorically\u201d rejected the verdict.<\/p>\n \u201cThis so-called Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction whatsoever \u200bto pronounce on India\u2019s \u200bsovereign decisions,\u201d India\u2019s Ministry \u2060of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cIts pronouncements, now or in the future, will have no effect on India\u2019s actions in connection \u200bwith the projects being undertaken by India.\u201d<\/p>\n The court said a neutral \u200bexpert, appointed \u2060by the World Bank, would judge by July 2027 whether the construction of hydroelectric plants in the Himalayan region was in line with the treaty.<\/p>\n Agreeing with a demand by Pakistan, the \u2060court \u200bsaid India was not allowed to build the dam \u200bwall and power intake structure at the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant above certain levels until 90 days after the neutral \u200bexpert\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n