India has never recognised the establishment of CoA and India has kept the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.
- CoA is a five-member arbitral panel constituted in 2023 at the Pakistan’s request after it challenged the design of India’s Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.
- India, however, has refused to participate, arguing that the dispute fall within the remit of Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank.
About IWT
- Origin: Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with World Bank (signatory) as facilitator to determine distribution of the waters of the Indus and its tributaries.
- Extent of Treaty: The Treaty extends to main rivers of Indus basin i.e. Sutlej, Beas, Ravi (Eastern rivers) and Jhelum, Chenab and Indus (Western rivers).
- All the waters of the Eastern Rivers were allocated to India for her unrestricted use while India is under obligation to let flow all the waters of the Western Rivers, except for the domestic, non-consumptive and other uses permitted in the Treaty.
- Dispute Resolution under IWT:
- Step 1: Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) with a commissioner from each country. (Meets annually alternatively in both countries)
- Step 2: Neutral Expert appointed by World Bank and involves rendering a binding decision.
- Step 3: Court of Arbitration upon agreement between parties or at the request of either party.
