India on Monday rejected an award issued by the so-called Court of Arbitration (CoA) on interim measures and the status of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), terming the body “illegally constituted” and reiterating that it does not recognise its jurisdiction.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Court of Arbitration was constituted by the World Bank in “patent breach” of the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty. India has categorically rejected the latest award as well as previous pronouncements issued by the body.
The MEA said India has never recognised the legal existence of the Court of Arbitration and has consistently maintained that its establishment itself constitutes a serious violation of the treaty.
“Accordingly, India has never appeared before this body and has refused to take any cognisance of its earlier pronouncements,” the ministry said.
India also asserted that the so-called Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction to pronounce on the country’s sovereign decisions.
Its pronouncements, whether issued now or in the future, “will have no effect on India’s actions” concerning projects being undertaken by the country, the MEA said.
The ministry further reiterated that India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force.
