The Ministry of External Affairs India on Wednesday said Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan will stand suspended and Attari checkpost will be shut for now.
This was decided at the CCS meeting in New Delhi, which was chaired Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960 between India and Pakistan with mediation by the World Bank, has endured despite three wars between the two countries in 1965, 1971, and 1999. However, it is currently suspended indefinitely.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted in a briefing to the CCS that the recent militant attack had cross-border linkages, occurring just after successful elections in a Union Territory and its economic progress.
As a response, the CCS decided on several measures:
1. Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty immediately, pending Pakistan’s unequivocal renouncement of support for cross-border terrorism.
2. Closing the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border, with provisions for those who crossed with valid endorsements to return by May 1, 2025.
3. Cancelling SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals and requiring those currently in India under SVES to leave within 48 hours.
4. Declaring Naval and Air advisers at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi Persona Non Grata, with a week to depart, reciprocated by withdrawing Indian advisers from Islamabad.
5. Reducing High Commission staff from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025, and enhancing security measures.
Additionally, Misri emphasised heightened security measures and commitment to bringing attackers to justice, akin to recent extraditions, stressing relentless pursuit of terrorism perpetrators.
Water Resources Minister CR Paatil supported the Indus Treaty suspension, citing past warnings and actions against terrorism, echoing the Cabinet’s decision.
The Indus Waters Treaty governs six rivers, granting India rights to three (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and Pakistan to three (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), symbolizing a rare and successful bilateral cooperation despite regional tensions.
