India halts Indus Waters Treaty, expels Pakistani Defence Staff after Pahalgam terror attack

Guwahati, April 23: In a decisive response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has announced a series of sweeping diplomatic and strategic measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of Pakistani defence personnel from India.

The attack, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen and injured several others, was strongly condemned by the CCS. The committee expressed its condolences to the victims’ families and reiterated India’s commitment to countering terrorism in all its forms.

According to a statement released by the Foreign Secretary on Wednesday night, the CCS was briefed on evidence linking the attack to cross-border elements. The timing of the incident—following successful elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the region’s economic progress—was described as a deliberate attempt to destabilize peace and development.

Citing Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism, the CCS took five major decisions:

1. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (1960): India will withhold cooperation under the treaty until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures” its support for terrorism.

2. Closure of Attari Integrated Check Post: The land crossing will be shut immediately, with a grace period until May 1 for valid returnees.

3. Revocation of SAARC Visa Exemptions for Pakistanis: All existing visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals are cancelled. Current holders have 48 hours to leave India.

4. Expulsion of Military Personnel from Pakistani High Commission: Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors and their support staff in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and must leave within a week. India will reciprocally withdraw its corresponding staff from Islamabad.

5. Reduction of Diplomatic Staff: Both countries will scale down their High Commissions to 30 personnel each by May 1.

The CCS also directed heightened national security vigilance and vowed that perpetrators and sponsors of the attack would be brought to justice. The government drew parallels to the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, stressing that India will continue to pursue terror operatives globally.

The international community has expressed solidarity with India, with many governments condemning the Pahalgam attack and supporting India’s stance on zero tolerance for terrorism.

This development marks one of the most severe diplomatic downturns in recent years between the nuclear-armed neighbours, signalling a hardening of India’s posture amid escalating cross-border tensions.

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