Hague Court Rules in Favour of Pakistan in Indus Water Dispute, India Rejects Verdict

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, has ruled in favour of Pakistan in the Indus water dispute with India. The court issued its decision on May 15, describing it as a “supplemental award” concerning “maximum storage” linked to a previous ruling on the interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Pakistan had approached the Court of Arbitration in The Hague after India refused to release water in alleged violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. India, however, promptly rejected the ruling.

The treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system between the two countries. Under the agreement, Pakistan holds rights over the western rivers, including the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, while India controls the eastern rivers, namely the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. The treaty effectively grants Pakistan access to nearly 80 percent of the water from the Indus River system, while India retains approximately 20 percent. India also holds limited rights to use the western rivers for irrigation, hydropower generation, and other non-consumptive purposes.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a statement rejecting the court’s supplemental award outright. “The illegally constituted so called Court of Arbitration has issued an interim award on May 15, 2026, which it has described as relating to maximum storage of water. This award is a supplemental form of a previous decision given on issues related to the general interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty,” he stated.

Jaiswal further declared, “India completely rejects this present so called ruling, just as it has firmly rejected all previous decisions of this illegally constituted CoA. India has never recognised the constitution of this so called CoA. Any of its proceedings, any ruling issued, or any decision taken shall be considered entirely null and void.”

He confirmed that India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force. India had suspended the historic treaty with Pakistan last year following the Pahalgam attack.

India has consistently maintained that the constitution of such a Court of Arbitration under the provisions of the treaty is itself illegal. The court, meanwhile, continues to deliberate on the question of how much water India is entitled to store under the Indus Waters Treaty.