UN condemns India’s military action and Indus Water Treaty breaches in scathing report

A new report from United Nations human rights experts has delivered a sharp rebuke to India over its military actions against Pakistan in May and its handling of bilateral disputes, accusing it of violating international law and risking a major conflict. The findings present a comprehensive critique that spans from the legality of cross-border strikes to non-compliance with a critical water-sharing Indus Water Treaty.

Military Action Deemed Illegal and Escalatory

The report centers on the events of May 7, when Indian military forces conducted strikes within Pakistani territory. The UN experts found that this unilateral use of force constituted a violation of the United Nations Charter. A significant procedural failure was noted: India did not formally notify the UN Security Council of its actions, as required.

The strikes had severe consequences. According to the report, populated areas were targeted, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries. Religious sites, including mosques, were also reportedly damaged in the attacks. The experts strongly condemned the preceding Pahalgam attack but found a critical lack of evidence to support India’s allegations of Pakistani state involvement, which were the stated justification for the military response.

The legal conclusions are stark. The report clarifies that international law grants “no separate, recognized right to use unilateral military force for counter-terrorism.” It warns that illegal military action can violate the fundamental right to life and that such behavior dangerously raises the risk of a larger confrontation. Crucially, the report affirms that if India’s actions are considered an armed attack, Pakistan retains the inherent right to self-defense, labeling the strikes a “serious violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.”

Indus Waters Treaty and Formal Demands

The criticism extends beyond military action to a cornerstone of bilateral relations: the Indus Waters Treaty. The report states that India has avoided arbitration and challenged the treaty’s established dispute-resolution mechanisms. The UN experts demand that India act in good faith, cease violating Pakistan’s rights under the treaty, and avoid creating human rights violations through water obstruction.

In a formal follow-up, UN Special Rapporteurs sent a detailed list of questions to the Indian government. This “council communication” demands India provide evidence for its earlier allegations, explain how it will compensate for the loss of civilian life, confirm its commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty, and state its intentions for a peaceful resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.

India was given a 60-day deadline to respond. The report stipulates that any answer would be published online and presented to the UN Human Rights Council. However, the report concludes by noting that India did not provide a response within the allotted timeframe, prompting the experts to release their findings publicly. The document stands as a formal, unanswered indictment of India’s actions from a UN mandate-holder perspective, escalating diplomatic pressure on New Delhi to address these international concerns.