Islamabad on April 24 announced the closure of its airspace to all Indian airlines, the suspension of trade, including through third countries, and the downgrading of diplomatic relations with New Delhi. These moves were made in direct response to a series of punitive measures announced by India following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 people dead, Hindustan Times reported.

Among the steps taken by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) were the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the only operational land border crossing, and the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés. Pakistan rejected India’s move to suspend the 1960 treaty, saying that this cannot be done unilaterally. Islamabad warned that any attempt to halt or divert water under the pact would be considered an “act of war”, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Amid heightened tensions, Pakistan also said it would place all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, in abeyance until New Delhi stopped what it described as supporting terrorism inside Pakistan, transnational killings, and violations in Kashmir. Islamabad further declared India’s defence, naval, and air advisors in Pakistan persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country by April 30. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad will also see its staff strength reduced to 30, according to Hindustan Times.

The crisis spilled over into cross-border movement, with Pakistan announcing the closure of the Wagah border post and halting all cross-border transit via that route. In addition, it revoked all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas issued to Indian citizens, except Sikh pilgrims, and instructed all Indian nationals in Pakistan holding such visas to leave within 48 hours. Pakistan’s official statement described India’s measures as “unilateral, unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit,” while reaffirming its longstanding position that Kashmir remains an unresolved issue, Hindustan Times reported.

The relations between the two neighbours were frosty even before the latest escalation. The move to put in abeyance long-standing treaties and shut borders point to a new low in diplomatic ties and opens the door to further escalation. The inclusion of the Indus Waters Treaty, a rare successful case of bilateral cooperation between New Delhi and Islamabad, only underscores the volatility of the present situation.

India is under considerable domestic pressure to act decisively in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in the state of Bihar on April 24, said his government is determined to bring all the attackers and their backers to justice. However, direct military action against Pakistan or any covert operation on Pakistani soil remains unlikely for now.