नवीनतम
India downgrades diplomatic ties with Pakistan
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to take stock of the situation and deliberate on the government’s strategy, in wake of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam carnage that killed 26 tourists.
India announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength and expulsion of its military attaches, in view of cross-border links to the devastating terror attack.
Decisions By The CCS
Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon the following measures:
1. Suspension Of Indus Water Treaty: The CCS decided that 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 treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has survived multiple wars and diplomatic breakdowns between the two countries. This is the first time India has chosen to pause the treaty in such explicit terms. The suspension is likely to impact the flow of water from the eastern rivers of Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej and is likely to exacerbate the issues faced by Pakistani farmers.
2, Attari-Wagah Border Checkpost To Be Closed: India also announced the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari for all cross-border movements involving Pakistani nationals. Misri said that individuals who have already crossed into India through the Attari post with valid travel endorsements will be allowed to return via the same route, but only until May 1, 2025.
3. India To Withdraw Staff From Islamabad High Commission: Misri further announced that
India will withdraw its military attaches from Pakistan
and reduce the overall strength of its high commissions by May 1. “India will be withdrawing its own defence, navy and 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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.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 May 1," he said.
4. Pakistani Nationals Will Not Be Permitted To Travel To India Under The SAARC Visa: Centre further said that Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Visa Exemption Scheme. Any Pakistanis in India on such visas will also have to leave the country within 48 hours. “Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India," he said.
5. Some Pakistani Diplomats Declared “Persona Non Grata": The defence, military, naval and air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have also been declared “Persona Non Grata." They have a week to leave India. India later summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over the formal note for its military diplomats.
In the meeting, it was noted that the attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
Misri said 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," he said.
“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.
Besides the Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were present at the meeting which lasted for over 2.5 hours at PM Modi’s residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misry, and PM Modi’s two principal secretaries PK Mishra and Shaktikanta Das, were also present in the meeting.
