New Delhi: Following the high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Wednesday, India has announced stern diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and suspending visas for Pakistani nationals.
The CCS meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi lasted over two hours. Briefing the media after the high-level meet, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined the details and said, "The CCS condemned the (Pahalgam terrorist) attack in the strongest terms and expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of successful holding of the elections in the union territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon several measures, which were highlighted by Misri during the MEA briefing.
The senior official informed that India has placed the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably" abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
Misri further mentioned that India has decided to halt the issuance of visas to Pakistani nationals, making it clear that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to enter India. This apart, he stated that Wagah-Attari border has been closed with immediate effect.
"The integrated check post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return before May 1, 2025. Moreover, Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption (SVE) scheme. Any SVES visas issued to Pakistani nationals earlier are deemed cancelled," stated the Foreign Secretary.
In another decision, India has withdrawn its diplomats from missions in Pakistan. "Both nations' diplomatic missions will reduce staff strength from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025," he said.
Moreover, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also declared all Pakistani military advisors currently stationed in India as 'Persona Non Grata', ordering them to leave the country within a week. "All defence, naval, military, and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared 'Persona Non Grata' and given one week to depart. India will reciprocally withdraw its military attaches from Islamabad, effectively annulling these diplomatic roles," the official stated.
Meanwhile, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has visited the attack site in Pahalgam to support the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police in probing the terror attack. While security has been heightened in the valley, forces have intensified search operations to track down the terrorists responsible.
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