In the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the Indian government has taken a series of strong diplomatic and security measures against Pakistan. On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs announced the revocation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, including medical visas, with immediate effect. The government has also suspended visa services for Pakistani citizens, directing all those currently in India to leave before their revised visa deadlines. Most Pakistani nationals now have just 72 hours to exit the country. Additionally, Indian citizens have been advised to avoid traveling to Pakistan, and those presently there have been urged to return at the earliest.
These decisions follow Wednesday’s high-level Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which also saw India suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and shut down the Attari Integrated Check Post. Furthermore, Pakistani defence, naval, and air advisors posted in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and given a week to leave the country. India will also withdraw its military advisors from Islamabad, and the strength of both high commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30 personnel by May 1. The SAARC visa exemption scheme for Pakistani nationals has been scrapped, with existing visa holders required to exit within 48 hours.
In response, Pakistan has retaliated with its own set of measures, including the suspension of all bilateral agreements—most notably the Simla Agreement—and closure of its airspace to Indian airlines. Islamabad has also announced the closure of the Wagah border and the suspension of cross-border transit, while warning that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty will be seen as an act of war. Pakistani authorities have ordered Indian diplomats in Islamabad to leave by April 30, matching India’s move to cut down diplomatic presence. The situation has escalated tensions dramatically between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, as global observers call for restraint.
