India has taken a historic and unprecedented step by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following a devastating attack that killed 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national. This major diplomatic escalation has significantly heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, marking a new chapter in South Asia’s geopolitical dynamics.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs made the announcement after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a series of swift retaliatory measures, India has also ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours and has shut down the Attari check post, one of the most crucial land crossings between India and Pakistan.
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the mediation of the World Bank, signals a severe breakdown in bilateral relations. The treaty, which had withstood several wars and prolonged periods of hostility, was crucial in regulating the use of waters from the Indus River and its tributaries. India’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance is being interpreted as a strong message against what it perceives as Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism.
Indian officials have emphasized that this action is a direct consequence of the attack, which they attribute to elements operating from Pakistan. Vikram Misri, a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that the perpetrators would be held accountable, and India would not tolerate any attempts to destabilize the region, especially after peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
India has also suspended all visa services for Pakistani citizens, including those under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Pakistani diplomats and military attachés have been declared persona non grata and must leave the country within seven days. The Indian government has further decided to reduce the strength of both countries’ high commissions to 30 personnel each by May 1, 2025.
These moves come as India pledges a strong response to any future threats and sends a clear signal of its intent to protect national security and regional stability. The situation remains tense as both countries brace for the fallout of these drastic measures.
