Indus Waters Treaty to stay suspended, ban on Pakistanis with short-term visas to remain: MEA sources

The Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan will remain suspended, according to sources from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Despite a recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries, there will be no changes to the diplomatic measures India had taken in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The ceasefire, which came into effect on a Saturday evening, was initiated by Pakistan and follows four days of intense fighting.

Following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, India took a series of diplomatic actions against Pakistan. These measures included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, halting all trade, and shutting down visa services for Pakistani nationals. Additionally, India imposed a complete ban on imports from Pakistan, blocked Pakistani media outlets, and restricted the docking of Pakistani ships at Indian ports.

The agreement to halt military action on land, air, and sea, which both countries confirmed, is part of a de-escalation process. However, India has made it clear that there are no pre-conditions or post-conditions tied to the ceasefire, and its earlier diplomatic measures will remain unaffected. The ban on Pakistani nationals holding short-term visas will continue, and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is set to stay in place.

The ceasefire, brokered with the assistance of the United States, marks a temporary pause in military action, but the larger issues between the two nations, such as cross-border terrorism, remain unresolved. India’s stance on maintaining its diplomatic actions highlights the ongoing concerns regarding Pakistan's support for terrorism and its broader impact on bilateral relations.