Pahalgam attack: India fires diplomatic salvo on Pakistan; Indus Water Treaty in abeyance
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening unleashed a raft of diplomatic measures against Pakistan in retaliatory action after the Pahalgam attack on Tuesday.
Focusing on the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack, the CCS noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
Reading out five measures, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri said: “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.”
“The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025.”
“Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.”
“The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.”
“The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025.”
The CCS also resolved that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack would be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account.
On Tuesday, terrorists armed with automatic assault weapons shot dead 26 tourists including a Nepali citizen.
Expressing solidarity, many governments across the world have unequivocally condemned this terror attack. The CCS recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism.
India