Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India’s highest decision-making body on national security, has taken stringent actions against Pakistan following the discovery of cross-border links in the terror attack that killed 26 people, including a foreign national, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In response to the attack, which has been linked to miltant groups operating from Pakistan, India has implemented a 5-point action plan that targets Pakistan’s infrastructure, diplomatic presence, and movement across borders.
India Takes 5 Big Actions Against Pakistan
Why In News
- Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India’s highest decision-making body on national security, has taken stringent actions against Pakistan following the discovery of cross-border links in the terror attack that killed 26 people, including a foreign national, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
- In response to the attack, which has been linked to miltant groups operating from Pakistan, India has implemented a 5-point action plan that targets Pakistan’s infrastructure, diplomatic presence, and movement across borders.
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
- India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which governs the sharing of river waters between the two countries. This suspension will remain in effect until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.
- The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, has long been a cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, and this decision marks a significant shift in diplomatic ties.
- According to the provisions of the Treaty, all the water of the “Eastern Rivers” of the Indus system — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi — shall be available for the “unrestricted use” of India.
- Pakistan shall receive water from the “Western Rivers” — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Now, Pakistan, being the lower riparian country, as the rivers flow downstream, is at a disadvantage. Upper riparian is the place where the river originates and lower riparian is where it ends. Thus, since the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab do not originate in Pakistan, the country is heavily reliant on the treaty as it receives about 80% of the total water flow from these rivers.
- It is vital for agriculture and irrigation in the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Sindh. In fact, the Punjab province produces 85 per cent of the country’s food.
- Moreover, being an agrarian economy, the agricultural sector contributes nearly 25% to Pakistan’s coffers and is the only source of income for 70% of its rural population.
- With Pakistan already facing groundwater depletion and cities like Karachi relying on private water tankers, any interruption to water flow from the Indus rivers will affect crop yields, leading to food shortages and possible economic instability.
Closure of Attari-Wagah Border check post
- India has shut the , halting all cross-border movement through this route. This includes suspending the movement of people and goods. Individuals who have already crossed over with valid documents will be allowed to return by 01 May 2025. The closure of this major land transit point is aimed at restricting further cross-border movement and sending a strong message to Pakistan.
Cancellation Of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme
- In a major blow to diplomatic exchanges, India has suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals. All previously issued SVES visas have been deemed cancelled.
- Furthermore, Pakistani nationals who are currently in India under the scheme have been given a strict 48-hour deadline to leave the country.
- SVES enables travel for select groups of individuals like dignitaries, judges of higher courts, parliamentarians, senior officials, businessmen, journalists, sportsmen without visa. A special travel document, known as ‘Visa Stickers’ are issued by the respective member states to the entitled categories of the country from where the individuals are travelling.
Expulsion of Pakistani Military Advisors
- India has expelled all Pakistani military, Naval, and Air advisors stationed at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. These personnel have been declared Persona Non Grata and must vacate India within one week.
- “Persona non grata” is a Latin phrase meaning “person not welcome” or “unacceptable person”. In response, India will also withdraw its own military advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. This reciprocal move is part of a broader reduction of diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Reduction of Diplomatic Personnel
- As part of a continued effort to curtail bilateral diplomatic ties, India has announced a reduction in the overall strength of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan. The number of diplomatic personnel in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 by 01 May 2025, down from the current 55. This reduction will further limit the scope of bilateral interactions between the two countries.
Conclusion
- CCS meeting was attended by key government officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
- The meeting focused on reviewing the ongoing security situation and deliberating on India’s response to the deadly attack. On the ground, the Indian Army and police forces have launched an extensive operation to track down the perpetrators of the attack.
