Indus Waters Treaty to import ban: India’s 10 key crackdowns against Pakistan after Pahalgam attack
India’s 10 Toughest Actions Against Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack: A New Diplomatic Front Opens
By News Circuit Desk | Updated: May 5, 2025
Following the devastating terrorist ambush in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians and security personnel, India has launched a decisive wave of punitive measures aimed at Pakistan. Officials in New Delhi attribute the attack to Pakistan-backed terror groups, triggering what appears to be one of the most intense diplomatic and economic escalations in recent years.
Here’s a detailed look at the 10 major countermeasures India has taken against Pakistan after the Pahalgam tragedy:
1. Indus Waters Treaty Put on Hold
In a move with long-term implications, India has effectively suspended the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty—a pact that has endured since 1960. This shift may curtail Pakistan’s access to critical water resources from Indian-controlled rivers, underscoring water as a new pressure point in Indo-Pak relations.
2. Total Import Ban from Pakistan
All goods originating from Pakistan have been barred from entering Indian markets. This trade blockade affects Pakistan’s key exports such as textiles, cement, and agricultural produce, delivering a sharp blow to bilateral commerce already at a historic low.
3. Shutting Down the Attari-Wagah Trade Corridor
India has closed operations at the Attari Integrated Check Post—one of the last functioning trade routes between the two countries. This decision halts formal overland trade and symbolizes a larger freeze in cross-border ties.
4. Postal Services Suspended
Mail and courier services between the two nations have been cut off. No letters, parcels, or commercial documents are being exchanged—a measure aimed at severing logistical and people-to-people contact.
5. Ban on Pakistani Ships at Indian Ports
India has prohibited any vessel flying the Pakistani flag from docking at its ports. This directive will not only hinder maritime commerce but also limit any regional logistic exchanges through Indian waters.
6. Diplomatic Downgrade
India has significantly downgraded its diplomatic presence in Islamabad. Key military and intelligence liaisons have been recalled, and Pakistan’s diplomatic access in New Delhi has been heavily restricted. This move sends a strong signal of disengagement.
7. Visas Revoked and Travel Suspended
All Pakistani citizens with Indian visas have had their entry permits revoked. India has also paused all future visa issuance and pulled out of regional travel frameworks that allowed fast-track access for Pakistani nationals.
8. Reduced Water Flow from Chenab River
In a symbolic yet strategic step, India has curbed the water flow from the Chenab River to Pakistan. While India maintains this is within its rights under the treaty, Islamabad has raised alarm over potential water shortages.
9. Airspace Restrictions Imposed
India has closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft. This reciprocal measure has disrupted air connectivity between the countries and forced both commercial and diplomatic detours.
10. Security Crackdown in Kashmir
Inside Jammu and Kashmir, security forces have intensified operations. Hundreds of suspected terror sympathizers have been detained, and properties linked to known militants are being demolished. This internal action is designed to send a message of zero tolerance toward terrorism.
The Bigger Picture
This is not the first time India has taken bold steps following a terror strike. However, the scope and simultaneity of these 10 actions mark a significant turning point. By isolating Pakistan diplomatically, choking its trade channels, and leveraging water as a strategic tool, India is reconfiguring its response doctrine.
While Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack, India’s response leaves little room for ambiguity. New Delhi appears prepared for prolonged diplomatic disengagement unless decisive counterterror measures are taken across the border.
International observers are now watching closely, as this evolving conflict could have implications not just for South Asia but for regional security across Asia.
