New Delhi: In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India announced a series of sweeping diplomatic and strategic countermeasures against Pakistan. Framing the response as a decisive stand against "cross-border terrorism", the Ministry of External Affairs outlined multiple steps, including the indefinite suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty that had endured three wars, and an immediate shutdown of the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border - a crucial link for trade and people-to-people engagement between the two nations.
SAARC visa exemption scheme
In a further blow to bilateral ties, Pakistani nationals have been barred from travelling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, with all previously issued visas declared void. Those already present in India have been directed to leave the country within 48 hours.
Expelling military advisors
New Delhi has declared the Defense, Naval, and Air Advisers at the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata, giving them a week to exit India. In a similar move, New Delhi will also withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air officials from the High Commission in Islamabad.
In addition, India has asked Pakistan to reduce its diplomatic presence in New Delhi to a skeletal staff of 30, slashing the mission's current operating capacity of 55.
The bold diplomatic offensive against Pakistan was announced after a 2.5-hour-long Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and other highly-ranking officials.
