India freezes Indus Waters Treaty, downsizes diplomatic ties with Pakistan after Pahalgam terror attack

New Delhi, April 23. In a strong and coordinated response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 India citizens dead, India on Wednesday unveiled a series of sweeping measures against Pakistan, holding it responsible for continued support of cross-border terrorism.

Following a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and lasting over two hours, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media on the government’s decisions.

“India will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous attack are brought to justice and their backers are made accountable,” Misri declared.

Among the most significant steps announced was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. This landmark agreement, which governs the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan, will remain in abeyance until Islamabad makes verifiable and irreversible commitments to end its support for terrorism.

India also announced the immediate closure of the Attari Integrated Checkpost on the Punjab border. While those already in India with valid travel endorsements may return via this route by May 1, no new cross-border movement will be permitted.

Further, Pakistanis will no longer be eligible for travel under the SAARC visa exemption scheme. Specific Purpose Work Visas (SPES) previously issued to Pakistani nationals have been revoked, and individuals currently in India under such visas must leave within 48 hours.

Escalating the diplomatic fallout, India has expelled Pakistan’s defence, military, naval, and air attachés from its High Commission in New Delhi. In a reciprocal move, India will withdraw its own military advisors from its mission in Islamabad. Support staff associated with these roles will also be pulled back, and the strength of both High Commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1.

Misri said the CCS was briefed in detail on the attack and unanimously condemned the violence, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. The committee also reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and instructed security forces to remain on high alert.

Highlighting recent successes such as the extradition of terror accused Tahawwur Rana, Misri stated: “India will remain steadfast in its commitment to hunting down those who orchestrate or enable acts of terror.”