Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Centre steps up security measures, cancels visas, and initiates steps to modify the Indus Water Treaty citing changed geopolitical realities.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked all Chief Ministers in the country to identify Pakistani nationals living in their states and ensure their early return to Pakistan. This directive comes just days after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen lost their lives, and several others were injured.
According to official sources, Amit Shah is personally speaking to the Chief Ministers and urging them to take prompt action. A decision has also been made to cancel all types of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, effective immediately. State governments have been asked to cooperate with the central agencies and take steps to locate and deport any Pakistani nationals who are staying beyond the permitted period or without proper documentation.
In a separate but related development, the Union Home Minister will also chair a high-level meeting at his residence to discuss the Indus Water Treaty, which has been in place between India and Pakistan since 1960. The meeting will be attended by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, and senior officials from various departments.
Sources informed news agency ANI that India has already sent a formal notice to Pakistan about suspending the treaty. The letter, sent by the Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, to her Pakistani counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, states that India is seeking amendments to the treaty due to several fundamental changes in the situation since the agreement was signed.
The Indian government pointed out that population growth, the urgent need for clean energy development, and evolving water needs have all made the current terms of the treaty outdated. Furthermore, the letter highlights that any international agreement must be implemented in good faith. However, India accused Pakistan of failing to meet this standard by continuing to support cross-border terrorism, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian government has cited Article XII (3) of the treaty, which allows for amendments if both countries agree. The letter stated that the “changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy, and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the treaty.”
These bold steps by the Indian government reflect the rising tension and growing concern over national security following the tragic events in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials say that these moves aim to send a strong message that terrorism will not be tolerated and that national interest comes first.
The Centre has assured that it will work closely with all state governments and relevant authorities to ensure these new directives are implemented effectively.
