India downgrades ties with Pakistan after attack on Kashmir tourists

Thursday, 24 April 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

India yesterday announced a raft of measures to downgrade its ties with Pakistan, a day after suspected militants killed 26 men at a tourist destination in Kashmir in the worst attack on civilians in the country in nearly two decades, according to Reuters.

It quoted Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri telling a media briefing that the cross-border linkages of the attack had been “brought out” at a special meeting of the Security Cabinet, after which it was decided to act against Pakistan.

He said New Delhi would suspend with immediate effect a crucial river water treaty that allows for sharing the waters of the Indus river system between the two countries.

The defence advisers in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and asked to leave, Misri said, adding that the overall strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 from 55.

The main border crossing checkpost between the two countries will be closed with immediate effect and Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under special visas, Misri said.

At least 17 people were also injured in the shooting that took place on Tuesday in the Baisaran valley in the Pahalgam area of the scenic, Himalayan federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The dead included 25 Indians and one Nepalese national, Police said.