Condemnation, Treaty Suspension, and Diplomatic Actions

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed China's opposition to all forms of terrorism. During a press conference, Guo Jiakun conveyed sympathy to the families of the victims and those injured in the attack.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district, resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people. The incident transformed a previously peaceful location into a scene of mourning.

In response to the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) convened a high-level meeting to assess the overall security situation in the country, with a specific focus on the events in Pahalgam. The committee instructed security forces to maintain heightened vigilance and take all necessary measures to prevent future attacks.

The CCS determined that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack would be brought to justice, and their sponsors held accountable. The government reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing individuals involved in acts of terror or those who facilitated them, citing the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana as an example of its stance against terrorism.

The CCS, chaired by the Prime Minister, met on Wednesday evening. The committee was briefed on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali citizen, with several others injured. The CCS strongly condemned the attack, offering condolences to the victims' families and expressing hopes for the injured's swift recovery.

Recognizing the severity of the attack, the CCS decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 immediately until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably renounces its support for cross-border terrorism. The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed immediately. Individuals who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025.

Pakistani nationals will no longer be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for visa purposes. Any previously issued SVES visas to Pakistani nationals are canceled. Pakistani nationals currently in India under an SVES visa have 48 hours to depart the country. The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared Persona Non Grata and have one week to leave India. India will withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. The overall strength of the High Commissions will be reduced to 30 from the current 55 through further reductions, to be implemented by May 1, 2025.