The Foreign Office (FO) has urged India to immediately resume the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and fully comply with its obligations, following the Court of Arbitration’s issuance of the "Supplemental Award" last Friday on the proceedings initiated by Pakistan against India.
In a statement shared on Monday, the FO called on India to respect international agreements and resume cooperation on the matter, emphasising the importance of preserving the treaty for regional stability.
It expressed approval of the Supplemental Award issued by the Court of Arbitration on 27 June 2025, concerning the ongoing dispute over the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.
"In the ruling, the Court reaffirmed its jurisdiction over the case, stating that it remains competent to oversee the dispute and is committed to advancing the proceedings in a timely, fair, and efficient manner," the statement added.
PR No.1️⃣9️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 30, 2025
Pakistan Welcomes the Supplemental Award Announced by the Court of Arbitration
In a Supplemental Award announced on 27 June 2025, the Court of Arbitration hearing the Pakistan-India dispute over Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects has found that… pic.twitter.com/moo4wndr6U
The FO welcomed the Supplemental Award, seeing it as a significant legal vindication. Pakistan reiterated its position that the IWT cannot be unilaterally altered by India.
"The Award vindicates Pakistan’s position that the Indus Waters Treaty remains valid and operational, and that India has no right to take unilateral action regarding it," the statement concluded.
This decision follows India’s unilateral suspension of the IWT, which Pakistan has deemed illegal. The Court’s ruling serves as a strong response to India’s action, asserting that the treaty remains valid and operational.
Pak IWT stance vindicated by arbitration court
Last week, the Court of Arbitration constituted in accordance with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, ruled that India’s decision of holding the treaty in abeyance did not deprive it of its competence to adjudicate Pakistan’s complaints against its neighbour.
The court issued the “Supplemental Award” on the proceedings instituted by Pakistan against India.
“Consistent with this interpretation of the Treaty, the Court has previously found that once a proceeding before a court of arbitration is properly initiated, as in the present case, there must be a strong presumption against the incidental loss of jurisdiction over the matters placed before it by subsequent acts, such as the appointment of a neutral expert. Accordingly, the text of the Treaty, read in light of its object and purpose, does not to allow either party, acting unilaterally, to hold in abeyance or suspend an ongoing dispute settlement process,” the order read.
Read More: India suspends Indus Waters Treaty
The Supplemental Award said that “the text… does not provide for the unilateral “abeyance” or “suspension” of the Treaty. Rather, the Treaty provides for its continuation in force until terminated by mutual consent by India and Pakistan”.
“Such text definitively indicates an intent by the drafters not to allow for unilateral action to alter the rights, obligations, and procedures established by the Treaty, including the treaty’s dispute settlement procedures. Additionally, the object and purpose of the Treaty, as expressed in its Preamble, includes establishing procedures for the resolution of all such questions as may hereafter arise in regard to the interpretation or application of the provisions agreed upon in the Treaty,” it said.
In April, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), that killed 26 tourists and injured 17 others.
Also Read: Pakistan Army announces conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos
The attack led to a dramatic escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. India accused Pakistan of supporting the terrorists behind the assault, a claim Islamabad strongly denied.
India launched airstrikes against what it described as terrorists training camps across the border. Pakistan said the strikes hit civilian areas, causing dozens of casualties.
Pakistan conducted Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in response to Indian military’s dastardly attacks that began on the night of May 6 and 7, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including women, children, and the elderly.
On May 10, Pakistan deployed its Al-Fatah missile and targeted multiple Indian military installations. However, after the intervention of Donald Trump, a full and immediate ceasefire was reached between India and Pakistan.
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