Desk:Following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India has taken a series of strong actions against Pakistan. The Indian government has decided to shut down the Pakistani embassy in India and given all Pakistani diplomats only 48 hours to leave the country. Additionally, India has announced the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty, a historic agreement in place since 1960, which could trigger a severe water crisis in Pakistan. This move is being seen as a major blow to Pakistan, potentially bringing it to its knees due to water scarcity.
India has also decided to shut down its embassy in Pakistan and has instructed its diplomatic staff to return home immediately. All Pakistani visas have been revoked, and any Pakistani nationals currently in India will be required to leave the country.
A high-level all-party meeting has been called by the Indian government on Thursday, where even more stringent measures could be discussed. Furthermore, the Attari border crossing, a key transit point between India and Pakistan, has been shut down with immediate effect.
India has previously responded to terrorist provocations from Pakistan with surgical and air strikes. The latest attack, in which 26 innocent tourists were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Pahalgam, has prompted an even more forceful response from the Modi government.
After the attack on Tuesday, Home Minister Amit Shah immediately visited Jammu & Kashmir and inspected the site of the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, cut his trip short and returned to India. A crucial meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security was held today, resulting in the following five major decisions:
India’s 5 Major Decisions Against Pakistan:
- Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan will be suspended immediately. The treaty will only be reconsidered if Pakistan takes verifiable steps to eliminate terrorism from its soil.
- Closure of Attari Check Post: The Attari check post will be shut down with immediate effect. Indian citizens currently in Pakistan on valid documents will be given time until May 1, 2025, to return.
- Revocation of SAARC Visa and Expulsion of Pakistanis: Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed entry into India under the SAARC visa scheme. All previously issued visas to Pakistanis will be cancelled. Any Pakistani currently in India must leave within 48 hours.
- Withdrawal of Military Advisors and Diplomats: Pakistani military, navy, and air force advisors posted at the embassy in New Delhi will be required to leave within a week. India will also recall its officials from its high commission in Islamabad.
- Reduction in Diplomatic Staff: The number of staff at the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi will be reduced from 55 to 30. Similarly, India will reduce its diplomatic presence in Pakistan to match the same number.
These decisive measures underline India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and mark a significant escalation in diplomatic and strategic pressure on Pakistan.