State Responsibility and the Indus Waters Treaty Following the Pahalgam Attack: A Case Study India vs Pakistan

This article aims to analyze the legal basis for state responsibility under the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the Rome Statute. It also evaluates the role of the Indus Waters Treaty as a crucial legal instrument between the involved states. Employing a qualitative single-case study approach, the research utilizes primary data from UN treaties, the Rome Statute, official reports, and global news, supplemented by secondary data from academic journals and research institutions. The analysis is conducted using normative legal analysis, content analysis, and comparative analysis. The findings indicate that Pakistan’s logistic and financial support meets the criteria for both a breach of international law and a causal link to the attack. The study shows that the Indus Waters Treaty can be invoked as a basis for a reparation claim, although the dispute resolution mechanism is hampered by geopolitical pressures. Furthermore, a significant regulatory gap exists for addressing hybrid terrorism. This article concludes by emphasizing the need for a hybrid legal framework that integrates treaty law and customary norms. It recommends amending anti-terrorism conventions, enhancing the verification of hydrological data, and strengthening mutual legal assistance to prevent similar incidents.