India Blocks Pakistan Government’s X Account, Downgrades Diplomatic Ties And More After Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a beardown consequence to nan April 23 violent onslaught successful Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has blocked entree to nan charismatic X (formerly Twitter) relationship of nan Government of Pakistan and announced a bid of sweeping retaliatory measures targeting diplomatic, military, and civilian exchanges betwixt nan 2 countries.

The measures were announced hours aft Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level Cabinet Committee connected Security (CCS) meeting. The committee, which included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, resolved to prosecute “comprehensive punitive action” successful consequence to what New Delhi calls “Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.”

“These are not symbolic actions. These are tangible, enforceable steps that nonstop a message,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a property briefing connected Wednesday.

The charismatic X grip of nan Government of Pakistan is nary longer accessible to users successful India. The integer blackout comes alongside nan downgrading of negotiated missions; both India and Pakistan will trim their respective High Commission unit spot from 55 to 30 by May 1.

India has besides expelled Pakistan’s defence, naval, and aerial advisors from its ngo successful New Delhi, declaring them persona non grata. They person been ordered to time off wrong 7 days. India will reciprocate by withdrawing its ain subject advisors from Islamabad.

In addition, 5 support unit assigned to each country’s subject ngo will beryllium recalled.

The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals has been suspended pinch contiguous effect, and each existing visas issued nether nan programme person been invalidated. The Integrated Check Post (ICP) astatine Attari, nan only onshore separator crossing presently successful cognition betwixt nan 2 countries, has besides been ordered shut. Pakistani nationals successful India connected valid archiving are permitted to return earlier May 1.

Perhaps nan astir geopolitically important move is nan suspension of nan 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-brokered accord that has weathered decades of hostility betwixt nan neighbours. Misri said nan pact will stay suspended “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”

The CCS actions people 1 of nan astir extended sets of retaliatory measures India has taken against Pakistan successful caller years. The Pahalgam attack, which killed 25 Indian civilians and 1 Nepali national, is being seen arsenic a reddish statement by nan Modi government.

“The perpetrators of nan Pahalgam onslaught will beryllium fixed a befitting reply. And truthful will those who conspired down nan scenes,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

With Pakistan yet to rumor a general response, tensions betwixt nan 2 nuclear-armed neighbours person sharply escalated. Observers pass that these developments could people a turning constituent successful nan already vulnerable bilateral relationship.

Published on: Apr 24, 2025 10:56 AM IST