The Indian government today made it clear that it has completely rejected the decision of the so-called ‘Court of Arbitration’ related to Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that not only has this court been formed completely illegally, but all the proceedings going on under it and any of its decisions have no legal validity. The statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said, ‘Today, this illegal Court of Arbitration, allegedly constituted under the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, has claimed to issue an ‘additional award’ to itself, which is regarding the validity of India’s Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.’
The Ministry of External Affairs made it clear that India does not legally recognize the existence of this court. According to the ministry, the formation of this alleged arbitration court itself is a serious violation of the Indus Water Treaty. Therefore, not only its process is illegal, but all its decisions are also ‘illegal and void’ in themselves. The statement of the Ministry of External Affairs also said that after the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, India has temporarily suspended the Indus Water Treaty, exercising its right as a sovereign nation. India will not be bound by this treaty until Pakistan clearly and permanently abandons cross-border terrorism.
India described this decision as another attempt by Pakistan to mislead the world. The Ministry of External Affairs said, ‘This new trick of Pakistan is also a part of its old habit, in which it tries to deceive international forums and twist them in its favor. This so-called Court of Arbitration is another example of Pakistan’s long tradition of lies and trickery.’