Pause Indus Treaty: India Requests Halt on Kishanganga, Ratle Hearing.

June 24, 2025 | New Delhi, India

India Seeks Pause in World Bank Proceedings Over Kishanganga and Ratle

India Formally Requests to Pause Indus Treaty Proceedings

India has requested the World Bank to halt all ongoing proceedings under the Indus Waters Treaty concerning the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects.
This decision comes shortly after the Union Cabinet suspended the country’s treaty obligations, citing Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.

The Indian government addressed this request to Michel Lino, the neutral expert appointed by the World Bank to examine Pakistan’s complaints.
These complaints involve the design and impact of two Indian dams located in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pause Indus Treaty: Action Linked to Terror Links

India’s request follows its April 24 diplomatic notification to Pakistan regarding the suspension of the 1960 treaty.
This notification was delivered days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed several Indian security personnel.

According to Indian officials, Pakistan has failed to uphold its international responsibilities by supporting anti-India activities.
Consequently, India considers the treaty’s cooperative framework to be unviable under current political circumstances.

Pakistan Opposes India’s Bid to Pause Indus Treaty Mechanism

Pakistan has strongly objected to India’s demand to halt the dispute resolution process.
Islamabad argues that the Indus Waters Treaty does not provide any legal pathway for unilateral suspension of arbitration.

Pakistan also emphasized that it remains open to talks and that India’s suspension contradicts international norms.
Officials in Islamabad are now preparing to present their counterarguments to the World Bank-appointed expert.

Meanwhile, India has not responded to Pakistan’s letter proposing dialogue, reinforcing its stand to stay disengaged until further notice.

Impact on World Bank Hearing Schedule

Originally, the World Bank had scheduled a fourth joint meeting in November 2025 to advance the technical hearing process.
Pakistan’s final submission on the Kishanganga and Ratle designs was due by August 7.

The neutral expert had also planned a site visit to Indian hydropower locations in December this year.
However, India has now requested the cancellation of this full “work programme,” creating a diplomatic standstill.

The World Bank must now decide whether to continue or freeze the proceedings amid this rising bilateral tension.

Pause Indus Treaty: India’s Broader Water Strategy

The Indian government’s recent actions align with a growing strategy to assert greater control over its Himalayan river systems.
By suspending the treaty, India signals it will no longer tolerate disproportionate scrutiny over its own water projects.

Since the suspension, Indian authorities have resumed long-pending dam maintenance operations.
Projects like Salal and Baglihar have restarted sediment flushing, an activity previously restricted by treaty conditions.

Officials argue that these operations are critical for dam efficiency and flood safety, especially during monsoon months.

Legal Path and Global Repercussions

India’s legal team has maintained that the treaty cannot function if basic trust between both nations is absent.
They believe the World Bank must acknowledge India’s sovereign right to suspend cooperation in light of hostile acts.

Pakistan, however, may seek arbitration from other international platforms such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration or the United Nations.
If unresolved, the case could evolve into a global test of how international treaties function amid geopolitical strain.

The neutral expert’s decision will set a precedent for future cases of treaty interpretation in conflict zones.

Final Thoughts on India’s Push to Pause Indus Treaty Proceedings

India’s push to pause the World Bank-led dispute resolution is not merely procedural—it reflects a deeper strategic shift.
New Delhi now prioritizes national security over long-standing water-sharing obligations with Pakistan.

The suspension could permanently change the way India and Pakistan handle transboundary river negotiations.
It also raises essential questions about the role of international institutions in conflict mediation.

For now, all eyes remain on the neutral expert’s decision.
His ruling will not only affect the fate of Kishanganga and Ratle but also shape the treaty’s global legacy.

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