The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has issued a formal press release stating that India failed to respond to the 9 February 2026 deadline for sharing technical data related to disputed dam projects with Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
The deadline was set under the Procedural Order issued by the PCA on 29 January 2026, which required India to submit detailed technical and design information of its hydropower projects to facilitate an objective legal and technical review.
Data Sharing a Core Obligation Under IWT
According to the PCA, the requested information was essential for assessing Pakistan’s concerns regarding the design and operation of Indian dams on rivers governed by the Indus Waters Treaty. The treaty explicitly mandates transparency and cooperation between the two riparian states to prevent unilateral actions that could affect downstream water rights.
Legal experts note that technical data sharing is not optional but a binding requirement under the treaty’s dispute-resolution mechanism. India’s failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe has therefore raised serious questions about its commitment to treaty obligations and international arbitration norms.
Implications for the Arbitration Process
Observers warn that non-compliance at this stage could complicate the arbitration proceedings and undermine confidence in treaty-based conflict resolution. Water security remains a critical issue for millions in the region, and delays or opacity in information-sharing risk escalating mistrust between the two countries.
The PCA has reiterated that the arbitration process will continue in accordance with established legal procedures and emphasized the importance of cooperation from all parties to ensure a fair and timely resolution.
Call for Adherence to International Commitments
The development underscores the broader challenge of enforcing international water treaties in politically sensitive environments. Experts stress that respect for procedural orders and arbitration timelines is fundamental to maintaining the credibility of international legal institutions and ensuring stability in shared river basins.
The PCA is expected to take note of India’s non-response as proceedings move forward, while reiterating its mandate to safeguard treaty principles and uphold the rights of both parties under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Read more :India Misses PCA Deadline to Provide Hydropower Data, Ignoring International Accountability
