India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and shut down the Attari border checkpoint following the killing of 26 tourists in the Muslim-majority region of Pahalgam in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The Indian government has also ordered all Pakistani nationals residing in India to leave the country within 48 hours.

The move comes a day after a deadly shooting at the popular tourist destination in occupied Kashmir, which led to the deaths of 26 visitors. The Indian government had vowed a strong and clear response to the attack.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting in the aftermath of the incident. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, among others.

What is the Indus Water Treaty?

Brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 to ensure fair distribution of river waters between the two countries.

Under the treaty, India was granted greater control over the eastern rivers — Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej — while Pakistan was given rights to utilise most of the waters from the western rivers — Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum — which largely flow through Indian-occupied Kashmir into Pakistan.

Despite the treaty, Pakistan has long accused India of violating the agreement by depriving it of its rightful share of water from the western rivers.

India declares defence attachés persona non grata

Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, India has declared all defence, military, naval, and air attachés at the Pakistani High Commission as persona non grata (“unwelcome person” or “person not pleasing”). In a reciprocal move, India also announced the recall of its own defence attaché from Islamabad.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the diplomatic staff at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan will be significantly reduced. By May 1, the number of personnel will be cut from 55 to 30.

The ministry stated that these measures are being taken given growing tensions between the two countries, particularly concerning the Kashmir dispute and ongoing border issues.

Foreign Office reacts to latest developments

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch expressed concern over the loss of lives in a recent attack in the Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the attack in Anantnag. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims,” the spokesperson stated.

She also extended wishes for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident.