New Delhi: India has completely rejected the decision of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. The court had said that the Indus Water Treaty is still in force, but India clearly said that this court itself was constituted illegally and it has no right to pass judgment on India's decisions.
Foreign Ministry's blunt answer
On Monday, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, "India's decision to put the Indus Water Agreement on hold will remain in force." The statement came soon after the Court of Arbitration's decision asking India to limit work on a hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir and abide by the Indus Water Agreement with Pakistan.
India has put this agreement on hold due to Pakistan supporting terrorist activities. The government said that India has never recognized the legal existence of this so-called Court of Arbitration and has consistently rejected its proceedings and decisions.
The very formation of the court is against the rules
India said that this body was formed by the World Bank in clear violation of the terms of the Indus Water Agreement. The government said in the statement, "Today, the illegally constituted so-called Court of Arbitration has issued what it calls an award relating to the status of the Indus Waters Agreement and interim measures."
The government further said, "This so-called court was constituted by the World Bank in clear violation of the terms of the agreement and India completely rejects its so-called decision, just as it has strongly rejected all previous decisions of this illegal body." India also told that he has never appeared before this court.
There will be no impact on projects
India has made it clear that this decision will not have any impact on its projects. The government said, "This so-called Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction to adjudicate on India's sovereign decisions."
The government said, "Its decisions, whether now or in the future, will have no impact on India's actions with respect to projects being undertaken by India." India says that the formation of the arbitration body itself is a serious violation of the Indus Water Treaty.
The Government reiterated that India's decision to keep the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance is still in force and this stance will continue to be maintained.