India asks Pakistanis to leave within 48 hours, suspends visas

India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and imposed a blanket ban on Pakistani nationals entering the country under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, following the deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that left at least 26 tourists dead.

The announcement was made on Wednesday after a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) — India’s top national security decision-making body.

Addressing a press conference, Indian diplomat Vikram Misri outlined five major measures, describing them as a “decisive response to cross-border terrorism.” He stated that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 would be held in abeyance with immediate effect, pending credible assurances from Pakistan to renounce terrorism.

Further measures include:

Immediate closure of the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check Post. Those who crossed into India with valid documents have until May 1, 2025 to return.

2. Cancellation of all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals. Current SVES holders in India must leave the country within 48 hours.

3. Declaration of Pakistani military, naval, and air advisors as persona non grata, with orders to leave India within a week.

4. Reciprocal withdrawal of Indian defence advisors from Islamabad.

5. Reduction of diplomatic staff in both countries’ high commissions from 55 to 30 members, effective by May 1, 2025.

These sweeping measures signal a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, with the Indus Waters Treaty’s suspension being the most significant step in decades.