THE HAGUE, Aug. 31 -- The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force. The court rejected India's decision to suspend the agreement with Pakistan. It said India had no valid justification for ending or suspending the treaty. The ruling gives Pakistan a major boost in its long-running water dispute with India.

The court also ordered India to uphold its obligations under the treaty. It said a neutral expert would assess whether Indian hydropower projects comply with the agreement. The World Bank appointed the expert for this process. The expert will decide the matter by July 2027. The decision will focus on hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan region.

The dispute intensified after...