Pakistan Terms Indus Treaty Suspension ‘Act of War’, Shuts Airspace and Borders for India
New Delhi, April 25, 2025 — Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have flared to one of their highest points in recent years, after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty in response to the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead. Reacting strongly, Pakistan has declared India’s action as an “act of war” and announced a series of retaliatory moves including the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft and shutting down the Wagah border crossing.
Following an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan issued a sharply worded statement saying, “Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force.”
The Pakistani government further added that India must “refrain from its reflexive blame game” and stop using incidents like the Pahalgam attack to push its domestic political agenda.
India’s Tough Posturing Post-Pahalgam
India’s decision to suspend the treaty came after a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which India resolved to hold Pakistan accountable for what it termed as continued support to cross-border terrorism.
In addition to the Indus Water Treaty suspension, India announced:
- Downgrading diplomatic ties: Reducing staff at both embassies
- Expelling Pakistani military and service attaches
- Shutting the Attari land crossing
- Revoking all Indian visas for Pakistani nationals, with limited exceptions
- Issuing a travel advisory for Indian citizens in Pakistan
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “The Cabinet Committee on Security has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan shows credible and irreversible steps against terrorism.”
An all-party meeting held in New Delhi also saw Opposition parties, including Congress and JD(U), backing the government’s actions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who returned early from an overseas visit, assured full support, stating, “This is a national crisis, not a political issue.”
Pakistan’s Retaliatory Actions
In a tit-for-tat move, Islamabad has:
- Closed its airspace to Indian airlines
- Shut the Wagah border crossing with immediate effect
- Suspended all trade routes with India, including via third countries
- Put the Simla Agreement and other bilateral pacts on hold
- Revoked SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme visas, except for Sikh pilgrims
Ordered Indian nationals to exit Pakistan within 48 hours
Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office declared, “All cross-border transit from India shall be suspended. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through Wagah but not later than April 30.”
Global Concerns Over Rising Tensions
The developments have sparked concern internationally, with major powers monitoring the fast-evolving situation in South Asia. Western diplomats and former intelligence officials have likened the Pahalgam attack to Hamas-style coordinated terror, and called for the US to consider designating Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Meanwhile, Canada, the UK, and several EU countries have expressed solidarity with India, condemning the attack and urging restraint on both sides.