India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, imposes sweeping diplomatic, travel sanctions

In a decisive escalation of diplomatic measures, New Delhi on Wednesday announced a series of major actions in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday that claimed 28 innocent Indian lives.

Indus Water Treaty suspended

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, an agreement between India and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank, was suspended with immediate effect.

The government of India cited Pakistan’s constant support for cross-border terrorism as the reason behind this move.

Closure of Attari border

The integrated check post at Attari, a major transit point for people and goods between the two nations, has also been closed with immediate effect.

Individuals who have already crossed into India with valid travel documents will be permitted to return via the same route until May 1, 2025.

After that, all passage through Attari will be suspended indefinitely.

SAARC visas cancelled for Pakistanis

Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SPES). All SPES visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals are now deemed cancelled.

Any Pakistani citizen currently residing in India under this visa category has been ordered to leave the country within 48 hours.

Diplomatic tensions escalate

India will also be withdrawing its Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad. In a reciprocal move, the Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors posted in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata. These officials have been given a deadline of one week to exit India.