India and Pakistan Square Off Against Each Other After Attack in Kashmir

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In the aftermath of an attack on tourists in Kashmir, which is under India’s control, India and Pakistan squared off against each other in a series of actions, stopping short of military action so far.

India’s actions include:

  • India suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty. This 1960 pact determines how India and Pakistan share waters of the six rivers in the Indus basin. Theoretically, India could try to cut off their flow to Pakistan. In practice, that would be difficult.
  • India closed the main land border crossing with Pakistan, Integrated Check Post Attari (Attari-Wagah crossing). Anyone who crossed over there with viable paperwork must return through the crossing before 1 May 2025.
  • All SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas held by Pakistanis are cancelled. Pakistanis in India with such visas must leave within 48 hours of when India announced this.
  • Military, naval and air advisers in Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have a week to leave India. Military, naval and air advisers in Indian High Commission in Islamabad are recalled to India. Each High Commission will lose five staff members.
  • By 1 May 2025, staffing for each High Commission will be cut from 55 members to 30.

Pakistan’s counteractions include:

  • Withdrawal from the Simla Agreement 1972 peace deal is threatened. That ended the 1971 war between the two countries and also created Bangladesh.
  • All Indians in Pakistan on special SAARC visas must leave.
  • Wagah-Attari border crossing, which India is closing on its side, will be closed on Pakistan’s side too.
  • The diplomatic mission for Pakistan in New Delhi will be reduced.
  • Indian military attaches at its mission in Islamabad will be expelled.
  • All trade between Pakistan and India is banned. Indian exports cannot pass through Pakistan to third countries.
  • Indian aircraft are no longer allowed to fly through Pakistan’s airspace.

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