India dismisses World Bank-backed arbitration panel's Indus Waters award as illegal

India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm denial of a recent decision issued by a Court of Arbitration constituted by the World Bank concerning the Indus Waters Treaty. The ministry described the tribunal as "illegally constituted" and asserted that its formation breaches the treaty's provisions. It noted that India has never participated in proceedings before this body and therefore will not acknowledge any of its earlier rulings.

The statement also highlighted that the award represents a patent violation of the treaty's terms. By rejecting the panel's authority, New Delhi reaffirmed its stance that the award holds no legal weight. The ministry's position mirrors previous rejections of similar pronouncements from the same arbitration entity.