Following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, the Indian government has taken strong diplomatic measures against Pakistan.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that all Pakistani nationals currently in India on SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas must leave the country within 48 hours. Furthermore, the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani citizens has been suspended, meaning no new visas will be issued under this scheme.
In addition to this, India has decided to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan. This includes:
- Expulsion of Military Advisors: The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and have been asked to leave India within seven days. India will also withdraw its own military advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad.
- Reduction of High Commission Staff: Both India and Pakistan will reduce their High Commission staff from 55 to 30 members by May 1, 2025.
- Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably stops supporting cross-border terrorism.
- Closure of Attari Border: The Integrated Check Post at Attari has been closed with immediate effect. However, those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through this route before May 1, 2025.
These actions signify a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan following the terror attack, which India has linked to cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, was present during the press briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri where the strong measures against Pakistan were announced. While the primary statement came from the Foreign Secretary, it is understood that these decisions were taken with the full involvement and agreement of the External Affairs Minister, as he is a key member of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which convened to address the situation.
Although Minister Jaishankar did not give a separate, detailed statement to the press at that moment, his presence alongside the Foreign Secretary underscored the seriousness and the unified stance of the Indian government on this issue. The decisions announced – including asking Pakistani nationals to leave, suspending the SAARC visa scheme, downgrading diplomatic ties, and putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance – reflect a significant shift in India’s approach towards Pakistan in the wake of the terror attack.
Given his role, it is highly likely that the External Affairs Minister was instrumental in formulating the diplomatic aspects of India’s response. His expertise in foreign policy and his understanding of the complexities of India-Pakistan relations would have been crucial in deciding the nature and extent of the actions taken.
