Explained: India Suspends SAARC Exemption Scheme For Pakistani Nationals; Here's How It Will Affect Visitors From Neighbouring Country
New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic move following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Indian government has suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals.
The decision, taken after a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), is part of a series of stern actions aimed at isolating Pakistan diplomatically and signaling zero tolerance for cross-border terror.
Here's everything you need to know about the SVES:
What Is the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme?
The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, introduced in 1992, was designed to facilitate easier regional travel among member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It allowed individuals in 24 designated categories, such as government officials, judges, parliamentarians, business leaders, journalists, and sportspersons, to travel within SAARC nations without the need for a visa.
These individuals were issued special 'Visa Stickers' by their respective governments, typically valid for one year, which enabled them to travel freely across SAARC countries without restrictions tied to city-specific permits or additional documentation like police reporting.
This initiative aimed to strengthen regional integration, improve diplomatic connectivity, and promote people-to-people ties across South Asia.
How Will Pakistani Nationals Be Affected?
With the SVES now revoked for Pakistan, all previously issued visa stickers to Pakistani nationals have been cancelled. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, quoted by NDTV, any Pakistani citizen currently in India under the exemption must leave the country within 48 hours. This effectively ends one of the few remaining diplomatic and cultural bridges between the two countries.
Until now, the SVES was especially significant during strained India-Pakistan relations, as it allowed limited, regulated contact through official and cultural channels. With its suspension, even these exchanges have been cut off.
Other Diplomatic and Strategic Measures Taken by India
Alongside the visa decision, India has launched a broader diplomatic offensive in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre:
1. Pakistani Defence Officials Declared Persona Non Grata: India has ordered the expulsion of Pakistan’s Defence, Navy, and Air advisors stationed in the High Commission in New Delhi. They have been given a week to leave the country.
2. Mutual Staff Reduction in High Commissions: India will recall its own service advisors and five associated staff from its High Commission in Islamabad. Both countries are to reduce their diplomatic staff from 55 to 30 members.
3. Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: India has also announced a suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a move that could have major ramifications for water-sharing arrangements between the two nations.
4. Closure of Attari-Wagah Border for Civilian Travel: India has shut the Attari-Wagah land route, directing Pakistani nationals currently in India to exit by May 1.
This marks the first time since the inception of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme that it has been entirely revoked for a member country.
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