Pakistan, Sept. 1 -- India's attempt to place the Indus Waters Treaty in "abeyance" has now met the one test that no political rhetoric (however colourful, however vengeful) could evade: international law. The Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled unanimously that the 1960 treaty remains fully in force and that India is bound to honour its obligations. For Pakistan, this is more than a favourable legal outcome. It is a vindication of the position Islamabad has maintained from the beginning-treaties cannot be switched on and off according to the political temper of the day.

The strength of the award lies in the breadth of what it rejects. India's invocation of sovereignty did not survive scrutiny. Nor did arguments built around alle...