In the wake of a tragic attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead, New Delhi has moved to suspend visa privileges for Pakistani citizens under the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Visa Exemption Scheme. The Indian government announced on Wednesday that no Pakistani nationals will be permitted to enter the country using this visa category. Those already in India under the scheme have been instructed to depart within 48 hours.
India has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a longstanding water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, following the deadly attack in Pahalgam that killed at least 26 people. The move marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with New Delhi also ordering all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours.
The decision came following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, India’s top-level body for national security issues, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Foreign Secretary Vikam Misri briefed the press after the meeting, stating that the committee had reviewed the details of the Pahalgam incident and noted “cross-border linkages” associated with the attack. He added that the assault followed the recently concluded Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which had been conducted without disruption.
“The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect,” said India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a briefing held in New Delhi.
In addition, India will close the Attari-Wagah border crossing, halting direct overland travel between the two countries. Pakistani citizens will no longer be permitted to enter India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme.
The foreign ministry further confirmed the recall of all Indian defence attachés stationed in Islamabad.
The recent attack occurred in Pahalgam, located in the Himalayan region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, a destination known for its natural beauty.
Indian media and social platforms linked to intelligence sources quickly attributed blame to Pakistan, suggesting religious motives behind the violence and claiming that non-Muslim tourists were targeted. These narratives have raised concerns internationally about the reliability of such reports, echoing patterns seen in previous incidents.
India’s decision comes against the backdrop of rising regional strain since 2019, when it revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomous status and restructured the region into two centrally governed territories. That move enabled new domicile rights for non-residents, sparking unrest and protests across the territory.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of life. It conveyed condolences to the families affected and extended wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
