Tensions between India and Pakistan surged on Thursday following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting both countries to take a series of retaliatory diplomatic and security measures.
In response to the attack in Pahalgam, where gunmen killed at least two dozen domestic tourists, India suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals and instructed those already in the country to leave before their visas expire. Additionally, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement that governs water-sharing between the two countries.
Pakistan reacted strongly, with its National Security Committee (NSC) convening a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In a statement, the NSC rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, labeling the river system as a “lifeline” for 240 million Pakistanis. The committee warned that any attempt to divert water flows would be regarded as an act of war. Pakistan also announced the suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement, closure of the Wagah border crossing, and airspace restrictions for Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines. Furthermore, Islamabad suspended all visas under the SAARC Special Visa Exemption Scheme for Indian nationals and halted all trade with India.
These developments mark a significant deterioration in India-Pakistan relations and raise concerns about regional stability in South Asia.
