In the wake of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians—mostly tourists—the central government has announced a high-level meeting with leaders of various political parties. Scheduled for Thursday evening, the meeting will be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Home Minister Amit Shah also expected to brief the political leadership. This move follows the longstanding convention of holding all-party meetings after incidents of national significance and security concern.
The attack has prompted a series of strong measures by the Indian government against Pakistan, which is being held accountable for supporting cross-border terrorism. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during a special security cabinet meeting on Wednesday, highlighted Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack. In a decisive move, he announced that India would suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, a landmark agreement mediated by the World Bank that governs the use of the Indus River and its tributaries by both countries. This treaty has survived even during periods of war, but India now demands Pakistan cease all support for terrorism before its reinstatement is considered.
In addition to suspending the water-sharing agreement, India has closed the Attari border, the only operational land crossing between the two nations. The closure will take effect from May 1, with a temporary window allowing individuals currently in India to return. With no direct flights operating between India and Pakistan, this step effectively severs all physical transport links.
Further tightening its stance, India has cancelled all existing visas issued to Pakistani nationals, particularly those granted under special South Asian agreements. Pakistani citizens currently in India under such visas have been ordered to leave within 48 hours.
Diplomatic repercussions have also escalated. All defence advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and given a week to exit the country. In a reciprocal move, India will recall its defence advisors from Islamabad and downsize its diplomatic staff there from 55 to 30 members.
Foreign Secretary Misri stated that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had reviewed the overall security landscape and instructed all forces to maintain a high level of vigilance. He emphasized that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack would be held accountable, along with those supporting them. “India will be unrelenting in pursuing those who have committed acts of terror or conspired to make them possible,” Misri affirmed.
