Pahalgam Terror Attack: Indus Waters Treaty Suspended, Wagah border closed, Pakistani visas cancelled - India, angered by the horrific terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, is preparing to teach Pakistan a lesson. In the first phase, the government has decided to teach five types of lessons on a diplomatic and military basis. The following five decisions were taken at a meeting of senior cabinet ministers, diplomats and military officers held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the night of April 23.
Firstly, the Wagah-Attari border between India and Pakistan has been closed with immediate effect. The check post there has been closed.
Secondly, the Indus River Water Sharing Treaty between India and Pakistan has been temporarily suspended, which will block the flow of water from the Indus River and its tributaries, the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers, to Pakistan.
Thirdly, all types of visas issued to Pakistanis to enter India have been cancelled with immediate effect, and all Pakistanis in India have been asked to leave the country within 48 hours. The Special Visa System (SVES) issued for the SAARC Summit between the two countries has been temporarily suspended and those who have come to India under that type of visa have been advised to leave India.
Fourth, all military cooperation with Pakistan has been suspended with immediate effect.
Fifth, Pakistani diplomats in India have been declared persona non grata, meaning unwelcome guests (person not welcome). In diplomatic terms, if any country declares diplomats from another country as unwanted guests, they will have to leave the country within the next 7 days. Also, this would indirectly send a message to the diplomats home countries to recall their officials.
Along with this, it has been decided to close some of the diplomatic missions of India and Pakistan. Their number has been reduced from 55 to 30. Some officials, especially naval, air force and army advisors, at the Indian diplomatic mission in Islamabad are being recalled with immediate effect.
All-party meeting on Thursday
The Cabinet Committee on Defence (CCS) meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi held on the night of 23rd decided to discuss with the opposition the decisions to be taken by India after the Pahalgam attack. Accordingly, an all-party meeting has been called for Thursday (24th).
Former diplomat Sibal urges
Former Indian diplomat and ambassador Kanwal Sibal, currently serving as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, said that this is a good time to abrogate the Indus River Treaty between India and Pakistan. He had urged the central government that only if it did so could it punish Pakistan appropriately.
