In response to the April 23 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, India has blocked access to the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan and announced a series of retaliatory measures impacting diplomatic, military, and civil ties.
Government of #Pakistan‘s account on ‘X’ @GovtofPakistan withheld in India. pic.twitter.com/30bTt7xIqB
— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) April 24, 2025
The actions were decided during a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with key ministers and officials present. The committee resolved to take “comprehensive punitive action,” accusing Pakistan of continued support for cross-border terrorism.
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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that India’s recent actions are not symbolic but enforceable steps to send a strong message. The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan is now blocked in India, and both countries will reduce their High Commission staff from 55 to 30 by May 1. Additionally, India has expelled Pakistan’s defence, naval, and air advisors from New Delhi, declaring them persona non grata and ordering them to leave within seven days. In retaliation, India will withdraw its military advisors from Islamabad.
India has recalled five support staff from each country’s military mission and suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, invalidating all existing visas under the program. The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, the only operational land border crossing between the two nations, has been closed. Pakistani nationals currently in India on valid visas must return by May 1.
Big news : Modi gvt has decided to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.
Half of Pakistan survives on Indus water.GoI has also decided to shut down the Pakistani embassy in India and Visas issued to Pakistanis stand cancelled
This is an instant strategic decision.… pic.twitter.com/b1exyBcfLq
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) April 23, 2025
One of India’s most significant actions is the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a long-standing agreement between India and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan fully renounces its support for cross-border terrorism. This marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries, especially following the Pahalgam attack, which killed 25 Indian civilians and one Nepali national, a tragedy the Modi government considers a red line.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has enacted one of the most extensive sets of retaliatory measures against Pakistan in recent years, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowing a strong response to both the attackers and those who conspired behind the scenes. With Pakistan yet to issue an official response, the situation has led to a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, raising concerns that this could be a turning point in their already fragile bilateral relationship.
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