India asked to recommence compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty.

On Monday, the Foreign Office commended the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague for issuing a “supplemental award” that reaffirmed its jurisdiction in the ongoing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) dispute between Pakistan and India.

Islamabad urged New Delhi to promptly reinstate the complete enforcement of the treaty, which has been suspended since May of this year.

“In a supplementary award declared on 27 June 2025, the Court of Arbitration adjudicating the Pakistan-India dispute regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects has determined that its jurisdiction remains intact and that it has an ongoing obligation to progress these proceedings in a timely, efficient, and equitable manner,” stated the Foreign Office.

The Court of Arbitration resolved to issue this supplemental award following India’s unlawful and unilateral declaration to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.

The Foreign Office stated that the court’s ruling affirmed Islamabad’s position that the 1960 treaty is fully enforceable and cannot be annulled by India through unilateral declarations.

“The award substantiates Pakistan’s stance that the Indus Waters Treaty is valid and operational, and that India lacks the authority to undertake unilateral actions regarding it.”

Pakistan urged India to promptly resume adherence to the treaty framework.

The Foreign Office implored New Delhi to “promptly reinstate the normal operation of the Indus Waters Treaty and to completely and faithfully fulfil its treaty obligations.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed approval of the court’s ruling. He remarked that the ruling bolstered the legal legitimacy of the IWT: “The court’s decision affirmed that the IWT continues to be entirely valid.”

Pakistan had previously expressed appreciation for the PCA’s decision to issue what it called a “Supplemental Award of Competence,” underlining that India had no authority to place the longstanding treaty on hold.

The FO reaffirmed that the PCA’s claim of jurisdiction remains unaffected by India’s dissent.

“Pakistan looks forward to receiving the court’s award on the first phase on the merits in due course following the hearing that was held in Peace Palace in The Hague in July 2024,” it noted.

The government emphasised the necessity of reinstating structured dialogue between the two nuclear neighbours.

The paramount objective at this juncture is for India and Pakistan to re-establish a substantive dialogue, encompassing the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, the statement indicated, alluding to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s wider appeal for bilateral discussions.

Pakistan reaffirmed its openness to discussing a comprehensive range of unresolved issues. “Pakistan was prepared to participate in substantive discussions with India regarding all unresolved matters, including Jammu and Kashmir, water resources, trade, and terrorism.”

Conversely, India dismissed the court’s findings with unequivocal rejection. The Hindu reports that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) “categorically rejected” the supplemental award, asserting that it does not acknowledge the authority of the PCA in this issue.