India Declares Pakistani Officials Persona Non Grata
World
Following a terrorist attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people, the Indian government has announced a series of strict measures against neighboring Pakistan. On Thursday, April 24, two days after the attack in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Misri declared that Pakistani defense, military, naval, and air force advisors at the High Commission in New Delhi are now considered persona non grata and must leave the country within a week.
According to The Times of India, India will also recall its own advisors holding similar positions at the High Commission in Islamabad, and those roles will be eliminated.
All Pakistani citizens must leave India. AFP reports that the Indian government has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave by April 29, even if their visas are still valid. “All Pakistani citizens currently in India must leave the country before the expiration of their visas,” the Indian Foreign Ministry stated.
Additionally, Pakistani citizens will no longer be allowed to enter India under the visa exemption scheme of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Misri stated that by May 1, staff numbers at both Indian and Pakistani embassies will be reduced from 55 to 30. All Pakistani nationals who entered India under the visa waiver scheme will be deported within 48 hours.
It is worth noting that the SAARC visa exemption system was introduced in 1992 and includes 24 categories of individuals, such as judges, MPs, senior officials, journalists, and athletes.
Furthermore, India will suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Among the actions taken by India’s National Security Committee following the attack is the immediate suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.
“The treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan openly and irreversibly stops supporting terrorism,” Vikram Misri said on April 23.
In response, Islamabad announced on April 24 that any attempt by India to cut or redirect the water supply will be considered an act of war. “Any such attempt will be met with a strong response using the full spectrum of national power,” said a statement from the office of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following a National Security Committee meeting.
India is also closing the key Attari border checkpoint with Pakistan. The Times of India reports that those who entered via this route will be allowed to leave the same way until May 1, 2025.
All Pakistani citizens must leave India. AFP reports that the Indian government has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave by April 29, even if their visas are still valid. “All Pakistani citizens currently in India must leave the country before the expiration of their visas,” the Indian Foreign Ministry stated.
Additionally, Pakistani citizens will no longer be allowed to enter India under the visa exemption scheme of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Misri stated that by May 1, staff numbers at both Indian and Pakistani embassies will be reduced from 55 to 30. All Pakistani nationals who entered India under the visa waiver scheme will be deported within 48 hours.
It is worth noting that the SAARC visa exemption system was introduced in 1992 and includes 24 categories of individuals, such as judges, MPs, senior officials, journalists, and athletes.
Furthermore, India will suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Among the actions taken by India’s National Security Committee following the attack is the immediate suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.
“The treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan openly and irreversibly stops supporting terrorism,” Vikram Misri said on April 23.
In response, Islamabad announced on April 24 that any attempt by India to cut or redirect the water supply will be considered an act of war. “Any such attempt will be met with a strong response using the full spectrum of national power,” said a statement from the office of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following a National Security Committee meeting.
India is also closing the key Attari border checkpoint with Pakistan. The Times of India reports that those who entered via this route will be allowed to leave the same way until May 1, 2025.
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