India has rejected the Arbitration award on Indus Water Treaty.
Recently the illegally constituted Arbitration court’s award has been rejected by India which has further escalated the India and Pakistan relationship which was worsened by the attack in Pehalgam.
India has never recognised the Arbitration court which was illegally constituted, and whatever verdicts or suggestions given by the court is considered as null and void in India.
About Indus Water Treaty
This treaty was signed between India and Pakistan after a 9 year long mediation and conversation between both the countries in 1960. This treaty was mediated by the World Bank between both the countries.
This treaty contains 12 articles and 8 annextures for the distribution of river water of the Indus River, so that there would be no disputes relating to river water.
Eastern rivers which were allocated to India are Ravi Beas and Sutlej.
India has luxury of using the river water of these rivers without any restrictions.
Western rivers were allocated to Pakistan like Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Pakistan receives the majority share for waters from these rivers, though India limited rights for , Irrigation under some conditions, hydropower generation and other uses.
Grievance redressal mechanism under Indus water treaty are as follows.
There is three tier mechanism to solve differences and interpretations.
If Pakistan objects to Indian Hydropower projects like Kishenganga or rattle, The Indus water treaty provides a graded escalation in Article nine.
There should be a neutral expert for technical differences that is not being resolved then the party can approach to World Bank so that neutral expert can be appointed.
The neutral experts decision is binding on both the countries.
If the dispute is not resolved in this process a
so as the neutral experts decision is unable to resolve then the 7 member body is formed to solve this dispute which is highest legal authority.
Currently the grievance mechanism is under deadlock by the countries and India’s stand is that it will be suspended till the cross border security is respected and illegal infiltration is stopped.
India’s recent steps taken are as follows.
India in 2023 issued a notice for seeking the modification of the treaty because of the disagreements regarding dispute resolution.
India demanded review of the treaty.
In 2026 after the Pahalgam attack India decided to keep the treaty on hold which was a major schange in water diplomacy.
What should India do further
There should be complete sharing of data and information and factors of water sharing.
There should be sustainable use of water from both the countries .
The suspension of water treaty is not only linked to river water but the tensions of terrorism from Pakistan,International law and strategic security.
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