PESHAWAR – Indus Waters Treaty faced its first-ever suspension on Wednesday as India announced a series of strong measures following a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam that left at least 26 people dead.
The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reviewed the situation and approved a range of diplomatic and administrative steps aimed at Pakistan.
Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the World Bank’s mediation, allocated control of the eastern rivers to India and the western rivers to Pakistan. Despite surviving multiple wars and decades of tensions, the treaty now stands suspended—a move Indian officials described as a response to continued violence and a breakdown in trust.
Indus Waters Treaty was not the only area affected. India also announced the closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari and withdrew travel exemptions granted under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. All previously issued SVES visas to Pakistani nationals were declared void, and those currently in India under this category were ordered to leave within 48 hours.
The Indian government declared Pakistani military advisers—Air, Navy and Defence—based in New Delhi as persona non grata and gave them one week to leave. Simultaneously, India will pull its own military advisors out of the High Commission in Islamabad.
Both countries will reduce staff strength in their respective high commissions to 30, down from the current 55, by 1 May 2025.
While Indian officials did not directly accuse Pakistan of orchestrating the Pahalgam attack, they described the measures as necessary for national security. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated in a brief press conference that the government had acted with urgency and clarity after receiving detailed intelligence briefings.
Pakistan has yet to issue a formal response, though past instances of diplomatic friction have seen calls for restraint from international observers.
By suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, New Delhi has signalled a more assertive stance. Political analysts say the decision could reset the tone of bilateral engagement, potentially bringing the longstanding water-sharing framework under greater international scrutiny.
Despite the escalation, Indian officials maintained that their actions targeted policy and security priorities, not the people of Pakistan. The situation remains fluid, with both sides under pressure to manage the fallout through diplomatic channels.
