In a decisive move following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 and injured over 20, India has recalled five senior diplomats from its High Commission in Islamabad, including Geetika Srivastava, the chargé d’affaires. The others include officials handling political affairs, consular services, and visa processing. All were flown back to Delhi on April 23, 2025.

Diplomatic staff cut and Pakistan envoy expelled

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the diplomats were flown out of Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan in Chaklala, Rawalpindi, and landed in New Delhi by 1500 IST. Simultaneously, Saad Warraich, Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in New Delhi, was also sent back to Islamabad.

Further, India declared Pakistan’s defence advisers persona non grata, ordering them to leave within seven days. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad will now operate with a reduced strength of 30 staff members, down from 55.

Borders closed, water treaty suspended

At a special Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, India decided to shut the Attari integrated check post, halting all travel except for those already endorsed before May 1. Additionally, the government announced the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a key agreement governing the shared river waters between the two nations.

SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme suspended

The government also revoked SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) privileges for Pakistani nationals. Any Pakistani citizen currently in India under the SVES must leave the country within 48 hours. The visa programme, meant to ease diplomatic and official travel within South Asia, will no longer apply to Pakistan.

Terror attack timed to disrupt peace and elections

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the cross-border linkages of the Pahalgam attack, calling it an attempt to derail both election processes and the economic resurgence in Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated that India will not tolerate external interference in its internal security affairs.

National and regional impact

These moves are expected to have significant diplomatic and geopolitical ramifications, especially as tensions between the two neighbours escalate. India’s decision to cut back bilateral ties and suspend cooperative agreements marks a serious escalation in the aftermath of a highly coordinated cross-border terrorist assault.

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