India
Pakistan Indus Water Treaty Options: 4 Powerful Legal & Diplomatic Paths
India, July31,2025: In retaliation, India expelled Pakistani military advisors, closed borders, revoked visas, and scaled down diplomatic ties—echoing a sharp shift in bilateral relations
Pakistan Indus Water Treaty Options – Starting Point
Pakistan Indus Water Treaty options are now at the forefront after India’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. This move came in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians in April 2025. Pakistan sees India’s suspension as illegal, even calling it a potential “act of war”.
In retaliation, India expelled Pakistani military advisors, closed borders, revoked visas, and scaled down diplomatic ties—echoing a sharp shift in bilateral relations.
Pakistan’s stance: it’s reviewing Pakistan Indus Water Treaty options to restore the treaty, ensure water access, and uphold international law.
World Bank Mediation
Pakistan is preparing to revisit the World Bank, which originally brokered the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. Pakistani Law Minister Aqeel Malik confirmed Islamabad will call upon the Bank to mediate because India has no authority to unilaterally suspend the treaty.
The World Bank’s role is limited but essential: treaty disputes, under Annex F & G, still require a neutral platform to initiate arbitration or expert intervention.
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
Under Article IX of the Treaty and backed by precedent, Pakistan can refer the dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. This step is part of the treaty’s built-in dispute resolution mechanism.
Pakistan’s legal team is reviewing this route in case India declines bilateral settlement. ICA or the World Bank could help initiate a PCA tribunal to uphold the treaty’s sovereignty clauses.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) or Advisory Opinion
Pakistan may explore action through the International Court of Justice by alleging a violation of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
However, ICJ jurisdiction is complex—India’s acceptance includes 13 exceptions: disputes with Commonwealth states (including Pakistan), Jammu & Kashmir (domestic jurisdiction), or defence-related cases are excluded.
To bypass limitations, Pakistan could request an advisory opinion via UN bodies or the World Bank to challenge India’s legal basis—though not binding, such opinions carry political weight.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Appeal
Pakistan is mulling an international diplomatic escalation by raising the issue before the UN Security Council. This leverages Article 35/34 of the UN Charter to classify India’s unilateral action as a threat to regional peace.
Pakistani authorities assert that the suspension undermines global norms of treaty observance and could set a dangerous precedent for transboundary water governance.
Limits & Legal Challenges
Even though Pakistan is pursuing Pakistan Indus Water Treaty options, legal experts note India is unlikely to concede any ruling from ICJ or PCA due to its reserved sovereign jurisdictions.
India’s public position underscores that Jammu & Kashmir is an internal issue falling outside ICJ jurisdiction. Consequently, Pakistan’s legal avenues might lack enforceability unless India voluntarily participates.
Regional Diplomatic Landscape
The broader backdrop amplifies the stakes:
- India downgraded diplomatic ties, expelled personnel, and downgraded visa appointments in response to the Kashmir attack.
- Pakistan has countered with threats to suspend the Simla Agreement, trade, airspace, and visa programs—calling it “water warfare”.
- Foreign nations—including Iran, China, UAE, and Saudi Arabia—have reached out to Pakistan and India urging restraint and diplomacy.
Thus, Pakistan’s chosen path among its options will shape international engagement around South Asia.
What’s Next & Outlook
Pakistan’s consultations are nearing a decision point. It may pursue multiple forums concurrently—World Bank, PCA, UNSC, even an ICJ advisory opinion—to rally legal and moral support.
For India, permanent suspension without resolution questions its prior treaty commitments. Pakistan’s strategies aim to mobilize international opinion and press India into reinstatement of water flows.
Tensions remain high. With limited legal enforceability for lower-riparian states—and no immediate technical fix—diplomatic bets appear to be Pakistan’s only viable route to legitimise its water rights.
Summary of Pakistan Indus Water Treaty Options
Option Description World Bank mediation Treaty facilitator, can launch PCA if needed Permanent Court of Arbitration Binding tribunal under IWT Article IX ICJ / Advisory Opinion Limited jurisdiction, but useful for global norms UN Security Council appeal Diplomatic escalation framing as regional threat
The Pakistan Indus Water Treaty options reflect a strategic blend of legal challenge and diplomatic pressure. While legal remedies face structural limits, Pakistan aims to keep the treaty alive and uphold its water rights via select international forums. Whether India responds to this pressure remains a pivotal factor in whether bilateral relations will further deteriorate—or yield under shared norms of international law.