Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be participating in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, a move taken following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26. The attack, carried out in Baisaran valley on April 22, saw terrorists firing at tourists, and was subsequently claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
PM Modi was in Saudi Arabia when the incident occurred but immediately shortened his visit to come back to India. He has since presided over several high-level meetings to decide on a course of action. In a report by RTIndia news, the Prime Minister’s decision to miss the Moscow event is squarely attributed to the current situation at home.
In the period after the attack, India has made considerable diplomatic and strategic strides to isolate Pakistan globally. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which gives Pakistan 85% of the common river water, is one of the significant steps.
New Delhi has also suspended all visa services for Pakistani citizens except for medical visas, which are only being given till April 29. Indian nationals in Pakistan have also been asked to come back home as soon as possible.
Diplomatic relations have further been reduced by expelling three Pakistani military attaches. India has also cut down the diplomatic staff of Pakistan in New Delhi from 55 to 30.
On the security side, Indian troops have been retaliating against ongoing unprovoked firing by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. “Pakistan Army indulged in unprovoked small arms firing,” the Indian Army said, adding that Indian troops replied “in a measured and effective manner.”
At the same time, counter-terror operations have increased in Kashmir. As part of a big crackdown on terror groups, the Jammu and Kashmir police conducted raids at 13 places in Doda district on Monday.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi presided over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), popularly referred to as the “Super Cabinet” due to its high political clout. The government will brief the media later.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a top-level security assessment meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. He apparently offered the Indian forces “complete freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing” of India’s action following the Pahalgam attack.
