Pakistan has gained a significant procedural victory against India in the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty dispute. An international arbitral tribunal ordered India to provide operational documents for disputed hydropower projects.
The tribunal directed New Delhi to submit working papers and operational logbooks for the Baglihar and Kishanganga hydropower plants. Both projects are located on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. India must provide these documents by February 9, 2026, or give valid reasons for refusal.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has been asked to clarify by February 2, 2026, the exact documents it requires. This step aims to streamline evidence submission ahead of the next phase of hearings.
The second phase of hearings on the merits is scheduled to take place in The Hague from February 2 to 3, 2026. A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by the attorney general and including the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, will attend the proceedings.
Officials describe the ruling as a notable development in Pakistan’s efforts to ensure transparency and compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty. Access to operational logbooks is crucial to monitor whether the Baglihar and Kishanganga projects comply with treaty provisions on water usage, storage, and flow regulation.
Pakistan has raised concerns that the design and operation of these projects could allow India to control river flows, violating the treaty. The matter has become critical due to growing water security challenges, including climate change, population growth, and delays in infrastructure projects.
Lawmakers were informed that India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has disrupted data sharing and technical coordination. Reduced or irregular flows of the River Chenab could threaten millions of acres of farmland, affecting agriculture and food security.
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Pakistan’s procedural win strengthens its position in the dispute, ensuring that treaty obligations are respected while safeguarding water resources critical for the country’s agriculture and economy.
