India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, shuts Attari border

In the wake of the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead, Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a key water-sharing agreement brokered in 1960 — until Pakistan acts decisively against cross-border terrorism.

The decision came from a meeting held in Delhi on Wednesday (April 23).

According to a press release, the CCS also announced the shutting down of the Attari border for all movement. Additionally, Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India. All existing visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) stand cancelled, and Pakistani citizens currently in India have been asked to leave within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.

The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025, it said.

The press note further mention that the CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible.