New Delhi, April 25, 2025 – In a bold escalation of tensions with Pakistan, India has ordered the deportation of all Pakistani nationals residing in the country and suspended the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty, following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The decisions, announced after a high-level security meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, mark a significant hardening of India’s stance toward its western neighbor.
The measures come in the wake of a brutal attack on April 22 at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The assault, which Indian authorities attribute to Pakistan-linked militants, claimed the lives of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national, leaving several others injured. The attack, targeting Hindu tourists, has inflamed public sentiment and prompted swift action from the Indian government.
Nationwide Deportation Orders and Visa Suspensions
On Friday, Home Minister Shah directed chief ministers across India’s states to identify and deport Pakistani nationals residing within their jurisdictions. The Ministry of External Affairs has also suspended visa services for Pakistani citizens, with a temporary exemption for those holding medical visas, who must leave by April 29. The move effectively halts all legal travel and residency for Pakistanis in India.
In addition, India has closed the Attari land transit point, a key border crossing for trade and travel, and issued advisories urging Indian citizens to avoid travel to Pakistan. The decisions reflect a broader strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically in response to the Pahalgam attack.
Indus Waters Treaty Suspension Sparks War Fears
Perhaps the most provocative step is India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that governs the sharing of six rivers between the two nations. The treaty has long been a cornerstone of bilateral relations, surviving multiple conflicts. India’s move to formally notify Pakistan of the suspension has raised alarms about potential regional destabilization.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) responded swiftly, declaring that any attempt to disrupt water flows into Pakistan would be considered an act of war. The NSC, meeting on Thursday, also announced the closure of the Wagah border crossing, further severing cross-border ties. Pakistan’s Senate passed a unanimous resolution on Friday, condemning India’s allegations of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam attack as “baseless” and accusing New Delhi of exploiting the incident for political gain.
Rising Tensions and Regional Implications
The Pahalgam attack has reignited long-standing tensions over Jammu and Kashmir, a disputed region that has fueled decades of animosity between India and Pakistan. Indian officials have pointed to intelligence reports suggesting the involvement of Pakistan-based militant groups, though no concrete evidence has been made public. Pakistan, meanwhile, has categorically denied any role in the attack, framing India’s response as an attempt to deflect domestic criticism and stoke anti-Pakistan sentiment.
Analysts warn that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could have catastrophic consequences, given Pakistan’s dependence on the Indus River system for agriculture and drinking water. The move also risks escalating the conflict beyond rhetoric, with both nations maintaining significant military presence along their shared border.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely watching for signs of further escalation. The closure of border crossings and the breakdown of diplomatic channels have dimmed hopes for de-escalation, leaving South Asia on edge as two nuclear-armed neighbors navigate a perilous standoff.
