New Delhi: India on Wednesday,today, suspended the Indus Water Treaty and banned the entry of Pakistani nationals after the Pahalgam attack.
The decision came following the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security — India’s highest decision-making body on national security.
The new measures announced by New Delhi mark a sharp escalation between the two nuclear-armed South Asian nations.
In the Pahalgam attack at least 26 tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were shot dead.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced detailed five measures against Pakistan.
Indus Waters Treaty Suspended
“The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism”, Indian diplomat Vikram Misri told reporters in New Delhi.
Attari Border Closed
Furthermore, he said, the Integrated Check Post Attari would be closed with immediate effect. “Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025,” he added.
Pakistani nationals travelling to India Banned
“Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled, and any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India,” the diplomat added.
Military, Naval and Air attaches in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata,
Meanwhile, the arch-rival also declared military, naval and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata, asking them to leave the country within a week.
India to withdraw its own defence advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad
“India will be withdrawing its own defence advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled,” he added.
Reduction in Diplomatic Staff in Islamabad
Additionally, India will also reduce its overall strength of the High Commissions to 30 from the present 55, which the diplomat says would be effected by May 1, 2025.
