Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir, India has taken several strong measures against Pakistan, blaming it for supporting cross-border terrorism. Below is a clear, date-wise list of actions India has implemented, written in simple language for everyone to understand.
Action 1 (April 23, 2025): Suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. India announced it would no longer follow the 1960 water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, which governs the use of the Indus River system. This was a major step to pressure Pakistan.
Action 2 (April 23, 2025): Closed the Wagah-Attari border crossing. India shut down this key border point, stopping all movement of people and goods between the two countries.
Action 3 (April 23, 2025): Cancelled visas for Pakistani nationals. India revoked most visas issued to Pakistani citizens and ordered them to leave the country within days. Long-term visas for Hindu Pakistanis were exempted.
Action 4 (April 23, 2025): Expelled Pakistani military diplomats. India declared Pakistani military, naval, and air advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as “persona non grata,” forcing them to leave within a week.
Action 5 (April 23, 2025): Reduced diplomatic presence. India cut down its diplomatic staff in Pakistan and recalled diplomats from its missions there, while also ordering a reduction in Pakistan’s diplomatic staff in India to 30.
Action 6 (April 23, 2025): Cancelled SAARC visas for Pakistan. India stopped issuing visas under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework for Pakistani nationals, further limiting their travel.
Action 7 (April 24, 2025): Summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires. India called Pakistan’s top diplomat in Delhi to formally protest and handed over a note declaring Pakistani military diplomats unwelcome.
Action 8 (April 26, 2025): Banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. India blocked these channels for spreading provocative content and misinformation against India, its army, and security agencies after the attack.
Action 9 (April 30, 2025): Banned Pakistani airlines from Indian airspace. India issued a notice barring all Pakistani commercial and military aircraft from flying over its airspace, in response to Pakistan’s similar move against Indian carriers.
Action 10 (May 1, 2025): Closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing completely. After a week of heavy cross-border movement, India fully shut this border point, stopping all travel and trade.
Action 11 (May 2, 2025): Banned all imports from Pakistan. India halted all direct and indirect imports of goods from Pakistan, citing national security and public policy concerns. This stopped the already limited trade, with India’s imports from Pakistan being just $0.42 million from April to January 2024-25.
Action 12 (May 2, 2025): Sought global review of loans to Pakistan. India urged international agencies to reassess financial aid to Pakistan, calling it a “rogue state” due to its alleged role in the Pahalgam attack.
Impact of India’s Actions on Pakistan
The measures taken by India have significant consequences for Pakistan, affecting its economy, diplomacy, and daily life. Below are the impacts, listed crisply with their expected duration and approximate timeline.
Impact 1: Water scarcity due to suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River system for agriculture and drinking water. This could lead to reduced water flow, affecting crops and livelihoods. (Long-term, impact seen in 6 months to 2 years)
Impact 2: Economic strain from trade and import bans. The ban on imports and closure of the Wagah-Attari border halts cross-border trade, though trade volume was already low. This affects local traders and businesses near the border. (Short-term, impact seen in 1-3 months)
Impact 3: Limited mobility due to visa cancellations and border closure. Pakistani nationals can no longer travel to India, disrupting family visits, medical trips, and business activities. Families with cross-border ties face challenges. (Short-term, impact seen in 1-2 months)
Impact 4: Diplomatic isolation. Expelling diplomats, reducing diplomatic presence, and seeking global review of loans weaken Pakistan’s international standing, making it harder to gain support on forums like the UN Security Council. (Long-term, impact seen in 1-3 years)
Impact 5: Air travel disruptions. Banning Pakistani airlines from Indian airspace forces longer flight routes, increasing costs for Pakistan’s airlines and passengers. (Short-term, impact seen in 1-6 months)
Impact 6: Increased domestic pressure. The perception of India’s strong response and Pakistan’s denial of involvement may fuel public frustration in Pakistan, putting pressure on its government to act or negotiate. (Short-term, impact seen in 2-4 months)
These actions and their impacts show India’s intent to pressure Pakistan economically, diplomatically, and socially while signaling a tough stance against terrorism. The situation remains tense, with global calls for de-escalation to prevent further conflict.
