In the aftermath of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India has taken firm diplomatic and strategic actions against Pakistan. On Wednesday, April 23, India summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and served him a formal Persona Non Grata notice for Pakistan’s military diplomats stationed in India.
Pakistan’s Defence Advisors Ordered to Leave India
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared Persona Non Grata. These officials, along with five support staff, have been asked to leave India within a week.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced, “The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled.”
Indus Water Treaty Suspended
In a bold move, India has also decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a water-sharing agreement that has existed since 1960. The decision is part of what the Foreign Ministry described as a “decisive response to cross-border terrorism.”
Misri added, “The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
No Room for Terrorism: Rajnath Singh Warns of Swift Response
Reacting to the terror attack, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured a strong retaliatory stance. “There would be a swift response against those who carried out, planned, or were involved ‘behind the scenes’ in the worst civilian attack in Kashmir in years,” he said.
