In a significant escalation of diplomatic and digital restrictions, India has withheld the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan within the Indian territory. This development follows the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists lost their lives in an act of terrorism that shocked the nation.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, where several crucial decisions were made as a direct response to the Pahalgam incident. Among the most impactful of these decisions was India's move to withhold the Government of Pakistan’s account on X from access within India, a measure meant to counter perceived propaganda and hostile content in the wake of the attack.

In parallel, India suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, an agreement that had stood for over six decades and had been regarded as a major example of sustained cooperation between the two rival nations despite multiple conflicts. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed this move during a press briefing, stating that the treaty will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, marking a significant policy shift.

Further escalating the diplomatic standoff, India also announced a downgrade in diplomatic relations with Pakistan. Both countries will be required to reduce their diplomatic mission staff from 55 to 30 officials by May 1, 2025. Additionally, India has declared all Pakistani military advisors (defence, naval, and air) as persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country within a week. A reciprocal withdrawal of Indian military advisors from India’s high commission in Islamabad has also been planned.

These moves come at a time when India is reevaluating its overall security posture and diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. The CCS meeting reportedly concluded with a consensus on adopting a tougher stance going forward, with the security and integrity of Indian citizens and territory placed as the topmost priority.

As expected, these measures triggered a swift response from Islamabad, which has now scheduled a high-level national security meeting for Thursday, April 24, 2025. The meeting is set to include the three service chiefs—Army, Navy, and Air Force—as well as key ministers from Pakistan’s federal cabinet. According to Radio Pakistan, the agenda will primarily focus on strategizing an appropriate counter-response to India's aggressive diplomatic and security-oriented measures.

While India’s action to suspend the Indus Water Treaty is legally unprecedented and may draw international scrutiny, the diplomatic downsizing and expulsion of military advisors is a clear sign that India is moving towards a more assertive regional posture.

Meanwhile, the withholding of Pakistan’s X account in India is symbolic of a broader digital and narrative control approach, wherein India aims to limit platforms that might be used to spread misinformation or incite unrest post the Pahalgam tragedy. The exact criteria and legal framework under which the withholding took place have not yet been disclosed by the Indian IT Ministry or the platform X.

This incident has further strained already tenuous ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The global diplomatic community is watching the situation closely, especially since both countries have historically refrained from abrogating foundational treaties like the IWT despite full-scale wars in the past.

Security analysts in India believe the government's assertive steps reflect a zero-tolerance approach to terror emanating from across the border. There is also a growing sentiment that diplomatic mechanisms must reflect the new geopolitical and security realities.

The situation continues to develop, and official responses from Pakistan’s security meeting are expected soon. Observers predict further diplomatic ripples and possibly even international mediation efforts depending on how both nations choose to move forward in the coming days.

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