Our Bureau
New Delhi
India has geared up to take a slew of diplomatic measures against Pakistan in the aftermath of the deadly terror attacks on Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22. Terming it a decisive stand against “cross-border terrorism”, the Ministry of External Affairs has called out an indefinite suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty followed by an immediate shutdown of the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border – a crucial link for trade and people-to-people engagement between the two nations.
New Delhi has also declared the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisers at the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata, giving them a week to exit India. In a similar move, New Delhi will also withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air officials from the High Commission in Islamabad.
The measures, decided by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), were shared by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a media briefing. Highlighting details of the counter-measures against Pakistan, Misri said, “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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.”
In a further blow to bilateral ties, Pakistani nationals have been barred from travelling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, with all previously issued visas declared void. Those already present in India have been directed to leave the country within 48 hours.
“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,” confirmed Misri.
The Foreign Secretary said that the overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1, 2025.
It is noteworthy to mention that currently, 39 billion cubic meters of water from the Indus River system flows from India into Pakistan annually. It is for the first time that India has suspended the treaty which has survived the long-drawn conflict between the two nations spanning decades.
Lastly, Misri said that the CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. “It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account.”
