In a major diplomatic escalation, India has officially suspended the historic Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, marking a significant shift in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
The announcement came from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs following a meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a deadly attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national.
Pakistanis ordered to leave India within 48 hours
India has also ordered all Pakistani citizens currently in the country to leave within 48 hours, while simultaneously announcing the closure of the Attari check post, a key border crossing between the two nations. The Pakistani High Commission staff has also been ordered to return home within seven days.
“The perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice, and those sponsoring them will be held accountable,” said Vikram Misri, a senior Indian official, during a press briefing.
Visa restrictions tightened
In addition to expelling Pakistani nationals, India has suspended all visa services for Pakistani citizens, including those issued under SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
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Visas for Pakistani diplomats and defense attachés have also been limited or cancelled, with several officials being asked to leave the country immediately. The Pakistani attaché has also been declared persona non grata, the Indian foreign ministry announced.
“Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel in India,” Vikram Misri added. “This attack was linked to cross-border linkages and is seen as an attempt to destabilize the region after successful elections in Jammu & Kashmir.”
Indus Waters Treaty suspended
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank to manage water sharing between the two countries, is being viewed as one of the most serious retaliatory moves yet. The treaty had survived multiple wars and decades of hostilities, making its suspension a grave signal of worsening relations.
In an official statement issued by India's External Affairs Ministry, the country's Cabinet Committee on Security decided:
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
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(iii) 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.
(iv) 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.
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(v) 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.
