In response to a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, India has officially annulled the longstanding Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. The attack, carried out by the armed group The Resistance Front (TRF) in Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 26 people.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting of India’s Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (April 23).
The Indus Water Treaty was originally signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Field Marshal Ayub Khan, with mediation from the World Bank. It has been considered one of the most successful water-sharing agreements in the world.
In addition to the treaty’s cancellation, India has also revoked the SAARC visa exemption program for Pakistani citizens. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, all previously issued visas under this program are now invalid. Pakistanis currently in India under this visa scheme have been instructed to leave the country within 48 hours.
Furthermore, the Attari border crossing between the two countries will be closed effective immediately.