New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): On Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conducted a detailed briefing for ambassadors of selected countries stationed in New Delhi, including Germany, Japan, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Russia, regarding the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Senior diplomats representing the United States, European Union, Italy, Qatar, Japan, China, Russia, Germany, and France, among others, were observed arriving at the Ministry of External Affairs, located in South Block in the capital.
According to official sources, Foreign Secretary Misri convened a 30-minute meeting with ambassadors from G20 nations, which notably included representatives from China and Canada. The meeting aimed to inform the international diplomatic community about the gravity of the incident and the Government of India’s immediate course of action.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement in connection with the measures announced following the attack that claimed the lives of 26 individuals. The statement reads:
“In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.”
The Ministry further clarified that all currently valid Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked effective April 27, 2025. However, medical visas already issued will remain valid only until April 29, 2025.
Additionally, the Ministry noted that all Pakistani nationals presently residing in India must exit the country prior to the expiration of their respective visas, as per the revised conditions. Indian citizens have been strongly advised to refrain from traveling to Pakistan. Those currently present in Pakistan are urged to return to India at the earliest opportunity.
The terror attack, which occurred at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, led to the tragic loss of 25 Indian lives along with one Nepali national. Several others sustained injuries. This heinous act marks one of the deadliest attacks in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
In response, India has undertaken a series of stringent diplomatic and strategic actions directed at Pakistan, citing its continued patronage of cross-border terrorism.
During a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, it was decided that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 would be suspended until such time that Pakistan verifiably and irreversibly ceases support for terrorism targeting India. Furthermore, the Integrated Check Post at Attari has been closed.
India has also designated the military officials posted at the Pakistani High Commission as persona non grata, ordering their departure from the country within one week. In addition, visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) to Pakistani nationals have been revoked, and those currently in India on SVES visas are instructed to leave within 48 hours.
The Government reiterated in its statement:
“The Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, 2025.”
(ANI)
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