An Arria-formula meeting was convened at the United Nations Security Council to discuss India’s illegal unilateral actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty.

Hosted by Pakistan under the theme “Upholding the Sanctity of Treaties,” the Arria-formula meeting was held on January 30. Representatives from forty member states from all regions participated in the meeting, which focused on India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.

India did not participate in the Security Council’s Arria-formula meeting. The Arria-formula meeting is an informal and confidential forum of the Security Council that can be convened by any member state.

It allows for direct interaction with senior officials from international organizations, non-state actors, and countries outside the Security Council.

Briefings were delivered by David Nanopoulos from the UN Office of Legal Affairs, Ahmer Bilal Soofi, President of the Research Society of International Law, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President of the International Peace Institute, and Professor Adil Najam from Boston University.

The speakers emphasized that international treaties are legally binding and serve as a fundamental pillar for stability in global relations. They warned that undermining international law could pose serious threats to collective security.

During the meeting, India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty was described as a grave violation of its international legal obligations, with potentially far-reaching regional and global consequences.

The Arria-formula meeting reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully operative. Pakistan emphasized that both countries are bound to implement the dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the treaty.

Participating member states underscored that agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty are essential for stability and the prevention of conflicts.