New Delhi has formally pushed back against a recent decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty. The tribunal had issued a directive requiring India to adhere to its existing obligations concerning the sharing of river waters with Pakistan, specifically noting that India's efforts to suspend or alter the agreement lacked legal justification. In its ruling, the court emphasized that the 1960 treaty remains fully active and that India must ensure its ongoing hydroelectric projects in the Kashmir region align with the established design and operational standards.

In a sharp response, India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the verdict entirely, asserting that the court lacks the jurisdiction to interfere with the nation’s sovereign decisions. The Indian government has made it clear that the tribunal's pronouncements will have no bearing on its development projects, including those involving reservoir capacity at the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant. While the court has mandated that a World Bank-appointed neutral expert review the technical compliance of these projects by 2027, India remains firm in its refusal to recognize the court's authority over the matter.