A day after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives—mostly tourists—and left many injured, the Indian government took sweeping measures against Pakistan, including suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani defence advisors from New Delhi.
Defence expert Shiwalee Deshpande commented on the developments, stating that while these are significant diplomatic moves, the ultimate response will be more severe.
“These are only diplomatic steps that our country, the final retribution, the final answer is yet to be given and that is going to be lethal, that is going to be something that Pakistan is never going to forget. So there are certain diplomatic steps like closing down the Attari border, also people who have gone to Pakistan should come back by May 1…” Deshpande told media in Nagpur on Thursday.
She reflected the prevailing national mood, calling for a strong response.
“After the horrible attack in Pahalgam, the entire country wants retribution and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) also cut short his visit (from Saudi Arabia) and a high level delegation meeting was held. What does our country want? The citizens of the country want? They want certain strong answers, and they want that Pakistan should also bleed and pay in the same tone or rather a greater tone due to the terrorism in Pakistan,” she said.
On Wednesday, the Government of India took multiple decisive actions in response to the attack. At a special press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the Indus Waters Treaty would be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
Further measures include the immediate closure of the integrated checkpost at Attari and a ban on travel for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC visa exemption scheme. All previously issued SPES visas to Pakistani citizens are now void, and those currently in India under such visas must exit within 48 hours.
“Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures: The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The integrated checkpost Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025,” Misri said.
He also stated:
“Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. Any SPES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SPES visa has 48 hours to leave India. 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 also withdraw its Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from its own High Commission in Islamabad. “These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled,” Misri added.
The CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and lasting over two hours, reviewed the broader security situation and instructed all forces to remain on high alert. Misri emphasized that the perpetrators and their sponsors would be brought to justice.
“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,” he said.
The Pahalgam attack, which took place at Baisaran meadow on Tuesday, is being described as the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.