ISLAMABAD: 23 April 2025 – India on Wednesday announced immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing, in response to the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people a day earlier.
There is no evidence of involvement of Pakistan in the terrorist attack but India always blame Pakistan for whatever happens in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan herself is the worst hit country of terrorism.
Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike. The Resistance Front (TRF) an unknown outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
Indian press reported that the decision came after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri detailed the government’s response to the attack, which the CCS strongly condemned.
Misri announced that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, would take immediate effect. “Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security decided upon the following measures.
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,” he said.
What suspension of the Treaty means
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, allocated the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan and the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India. The suspension of the treaty may not hit Pakistan immediately, but it leaves the threat of India stopping water from the rivers hanging over their heads.
“The abrogation of the Indus water treaty will hit Pakistan the worst. The upper three rivers – Indus, Chenab and Jhelum – the waters are supposed to flow into Pakistan. Despite the three wars, we have kept that promise. Despite the Kargil incident, despite the insurgency, India had not withdrawn from this treaty. We have been standing by it, we have been sharing waters with them. But now, we have sent the message across that it cannot be taken for granted any longer. It will be a body blow to Pakistan and particularly the Punjab province there if we carry this threat out,” said ex-Indian Army vice chief Lieutenat General Sarath Chand.
Defence Advisors expulsion / withdrawal
As part of broader diplomatic and security actions, India also ordered the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats.
“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,” Misri added.
India will also withdraw its own military advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
India further announced that all Pakistani nationals with SAARC visas would be required to leave within 48 hours.“Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled,” Misri said.
Only road crossing shut
The government also decided to shut the Wagah-Attari border, the only road crossing between the two countries open to passengers. “The integrated checkpost Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025,” Misri said.
The Wagah-Attari border, which serves as a symbolic and functional link for limited trade and people-to-people exchanges, will now be closed as part of the new measures.
Escape from Indus Water Treaty trying to make Pakistan a scapegoat ?
India is constructing dams on the western rivers since long. Pakistan has challenged the construction of dams in international court of justice where India is at a loss to defend its case. Pakistan calls it Water Terrorism of India against Pakistan.
Pehalgam attack is being exploited by India to benefit in case of illegal dams construction. Here it is also worth mentioning that India , similarly blamed Pakistan soon after Pulwama as well but later it appeared to be a local matter in between the Indian military and a youth of the same vicinity whose father was humiliated by Indian military.
Responding to media queries concerning the attack in Anantnag district of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistani Spokesperson said:
“We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
