India's unilateral move on Indus Water Treaty undermines global commitment, regional stability : Experts

Legal and international relations experts have expressed deep concern over India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, terming it an illegal step that could undermine established dispute-resolution mechanisms and regional stability

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Feb, 2026) Legal and international relations experts have expressed deep concern over India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, terming it an illegal step that could undermine established dispute-resolution mechanisms and regional stability.

The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered with the guarantee of the World Bank, was signed by Pakistan’s President Gen Ayub Khan and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The agreement has long been regarded as a model of water-sharing cooperation between the two neighboring countries, having remained intact despite decades of political tensions and armed conflicts between the two countries.

Recent proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague concerning disputes under the Treaty have drawn significant global attention.

According to experts, the International Court’s determinations reaffirmed the binding nature of the Treaty’s design and operational provisions.

They argued that any withdrawal from or suspension of the Treaty framework could weaken confidence in international agreements and legal commitments besides exposed negative designs of India.

Professor Dr. A.H. Hilali, former chairman of the Political Science Department at the University of Peshawar, told APP that unilateral measures affecting the Treaty pose challenges to its core principles and to broader norms of international law.

He emphasized that the IWT includes established mechanisms such as the Permanent Indus Commission, neutral experts, and arbitration procedures designed to keep technical disputes insulated from political escalation and conflicts.

He further noted that any disruption in the flow of the western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Treaty could have implications for water availability, agriculture, and food security in downstream areas, framing the matter as both a legal and humanitarian concern.

Professor Dr. Shaheed Soharwardi, Chairman of the International Relations Department, said that Pakistan has pursued dispute resolution through legal and institutional channels, including arbitration and neutral expert processes provided under the Treaty. He maintained that decisions rendered by the PCA remain binding under international law, regardless of participation by either party.

Dr. Soharwardi observed that the Treaty does not provide for unilateral suspension, and warned that setting such a precedent could have broader implications for other transboundary river agreements worldwide.

He also stressed that disputes over infrastructure design and water storage can be addressed within the Treaty’s technical framework.

The experts condemned recent remarks by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah regarding non restoration of the Treaty, suggesting that the issue should remain within legal and technical parameters rather than becoming politicized.

They called upon the international community, particularly the World Bank as guarantor of the Treaty, to force India to adhere to established mechanisms for dispute resolution and accept PCA rulling.

According to them, maintaining compliance with treaty obligations is essential for preserving regional stability and upholding the credibility of international agreements.

The Indus Waters Treaty has endured for more than six decades and is widely cited as a successful example of sustained cooperation over shared water resources.

Observers argued that continued engagement within its legal framework remains the most viable path to resolving disputes and preventing further escalation in South Asia.