Indus Waters Treaty Arbitration: On February 10, 2026, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague announced that India did not attend the proceedings related to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) dispute with Pakistan. The arbitration, initiated by Pakistan, delves into the interpretation of treaty provisions concerning India’s hydroelectric projects on the Indus basin rivers.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the World Bank’s assistance, is a cornerstone of transboundary water management between India and Pakistan. It mandates that the eastern rivers are for India’s exclusive use, while Pakistan has rights over the western rivers. The treaty aims to separate water management from political tensions, under the principle of pacta sunt servanda.
Pakistan’s legal team, led by Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, argued that India’s projects exceed the treaty’s limits, potentially impacting downstream flows. The court concluded its second phase of hearings on February 3, 2026, without India’s participation, a point noted in the press release issued a day prior.
Despite India’s absence, the tribunal maintains jurisdiction and has set a compliance deadline of February 9, 2026. Failure to comply could lead to adverse inferences and modifications to India’s project designs. The tribunal’s decisions, while binding, lack enforcement mechanisms, yet non-compliance could harm India’s diplomatic standing.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 11th, 2026
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