India has taken a series of punitive steps against neighbouring Pakistan after a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pehelgam left 26 tourists dead, including 25 Indian and one Nepali national.
The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at his official residence in New Delhi on Wednesday, where five major retaliatory measures were agreed upon and adopted.
CCS members addressed the press.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined the following decisions aimed at pressuring Pakistan:
1. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
Delhi has decided to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty—widely regarded as one of the most successful water-sharing agreements in the world—until Pakistan ceases its alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
The treaty was brokered by the World Bank and signed in Karachi by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Field Marshal Ayub Khan.
2. Closure of the Attari-Wagah Border Crossing
India will indefinitely close the Attari-Wagah land border. Pakistani nationals who entered via this crossing and are currently in India have until 1 May to return home via the same route.
3. Revocation of SAARC Visa Exemptions for Pakistanis
All visa exemptions granted to Pakistani citizens under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) are hereby cancelled. Pakistani nationals currently in India under this arrangement must leave the country within 48 hours. No new entries will be permitted under the scheme.
4. Withdrawal of Defence Advisers
India is withdrawing its defence, naval, and air advisers from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, along with their assistants. In a reciprocal move, Pakistan’s corresponding defence advisers stationed in Delhi have been declared persona non grata and given seven days to depart.
5. Downsizing Indian Diplomatic Presence in Islamabad
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad will reduce its staff count from 55 to 30, effective 1 May 2025.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has issued alerts to all branches of the Indian armed forces, instructing them to remain on high alert.
While Indian Foreign Secretary Misri detailed the measures during the press conference, no other members of the Cabinet Committee fielded questions.
The massacre in Pehelgam has sparked nationwide outrage, particularly over claims that the assailants selectively targeted victims based on religious identity.
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, already brittle, have now plunged into a deep diplomatic chill.
