Arria Formula meeting held at UN Security Council on indus waters treaty

ISLAMABAD: An Arria Formula meeting of the UN Security Council was held on January 30 to discuss India’s alleged illegal unilateral actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The meeting was hosted by Pakistan under the theme “Protecting the Sanctity of Treaties.”

Representatives from 40 member states across different regions participated in the meeting, which focused on India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. India did not take part in the Arria Formula meeting.

The Arria Formula meeting is an informal and confidential forum of the Security Council that allows direct interaction with senior officials of international organizations, non-state actors, and countries that are not members of the Council.

The meeting was briefed by  David Ninopoulos from the UN Office of Legal Affairs, Ahmar Bilal Sofi, President of the Research Society of International Law, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President of the International Peace Institute, and Professor Adil Najam of Boston University.

Speakers emphasized that international treaties are legally binding and serve as a key source of stability in international relations. They warned that weakening international law could pose serious threats to collective global security.

During the meeting, the Indus Waters Treaty was described as a serious international legal obligation, and India’s move was termed a violation with far-reaching regional and global implications.

Pakistan reaffirmed that both countries are committed to implementing the dispute resolution mechanism under the Indus Waters Treaty. Participating member states stressed that agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty are essential for regional stability and conflict prevention.