Synopsis
India's government has enacted significant measures against Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam, receiving support from defence experts. These actions include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari, signaling a firm stance against cross-border terrorism.Key Takeaways
- Strong retaliatory measures from India against Pakistan.
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a significant action.
- Closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari.
- Reduction of diplomatic staff in each other's high commissions.
- Defence experts commend the government's decisive stance.
New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) Prominent defence analysts across the nation have endorsed the government's decisive actions against Pakistan following the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
On April 22, a tragic incident in Baisaran, known as 'mini Switzerland' in Pahalgam, resulted in the brutal murder of twenty-six tourists, including one from Nepal. The attackers specifically targeted the men based on their religion and executed them at close range, while the women and children were spared with a chilling warning to relay the horror to the authorities.
In reaction to this atrocity, the Indian government announced stringent measures against Pakistan, which have garnered praise from defence specialists, including a retired Major General, a retired Colonel, and a former BSF officer.
The actions taken by India include: halting the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the Integrated Check Post at the Attari border, and diminishing diplomatic presence in each other's high commissions.
P.K. Mishra, a Defence Expert and former Additional Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), expressed his support for the Modi government's resolute approach while speaking to IANS.
“The actions initiated by the PM Modi government are praiseworthy. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, under which a 1:5 water-sharing ratio was maintained, is a significant decision. With this treaty now inactive, Pakistan will likely feel the repercussions, potentially facing food shortages,” he stated.
“The closure of the Attari-Wagah border is another commendable step. It restricts access to India and conveys a powerful message. Cancelling visas is also the right course of action. Numerous Pakistanis are now returning to their homeland via the Attari border. Reducing embassy personnel is also a prudent measure. I commend PM Modi for delivering a clear warning to Pakistan.”
Retired Colonel T.P. Tyagi shared similar views, stating, “Back in 1960, under the Indus Waters Treaty, we had already illustrated our leverage, and Pakistan faced water scarcity even then. The current suspension reinforces that authority,” he remarked.
“Individuals who entered through the Attari border, even for medical emergencies, are now instructed to return within an hour, irrespective of their condition. People-to-people interactions, which permitted Pakistani journalists and businessmen into India, have also been curtailed. They have been given a 48-hour notice to depart. All these actions are effective. However, unless we engage in military action, such as neutralising terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) using standoff capabilities like Apache helicopters or long-range artillery, a targeted response is necessary to demonstrate our strength,” he added.
Major General (Retd.) Dhruv C. Katoch, Director of the India Foundation, highlighted the strategic and symbolic significance of the announced measures.
“The five points articulated by the Foreign Secretary emphasize three primary areas -- suspension of the Indus Treaty, reduction of people-to-people contact, and expulsion of military observers. These are robust and consequential steps to communicate our intentions,” he noted.
“The message is unequivocal: India’s actions will reflect Pakistan’s conduct. If terrorism persists, we will escalate our response. By suspending the Indus Treaty, India is compelling Pakistan to rethink its actions. Diminishing civilian interactions also sends a strong signal: terror and diplomacy cannot coexist. The Modi government is asserting India’s right to self-defense, and it’s high time that Pakistan is held accountable for its persistent betrayal of peace initiatives. There is a rising acknowledgment that Pakistan is behaving as a terror state. Much like Israel’s strategy towards Hamas, we are indicating that enough is enough.”
Meanwhile, these coordinated policy decisions were revealed on Wednesday following a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who truncated his visit to Saudi Arabia after the attack in Pahalgam.
An official statement confirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be suspended immediately until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably renounces” support for cross-border terrorism.
Additionally, the Integrated Check Post at Attari has been deactivated. Individuals who entered India through this post with valid documentation must return before May 1, 2025. Moreover, Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Existing visas under this scheme have been annulled, and holders currently in India have been given a 48-hour ultimatum to exit.
The Indian government also designated the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission as persona non grata. They have one week to vacate the country. In reciprocity, India will withdraw its own military advisors from the High Commission in Islamabad, along with five support staff for these advisors from both nations’ diplomatic missions.
Lastly, the total diplomatic personnel at both High Commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025, indicating a significant scaling down of bilateral relations.
