Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared up after the tragic terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 dead. In response, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and expelled Pakistani officials, prompting Islamabad to call a high-level security meeting. Pakistan’s top leaders have now warned of possible retaliation if India continues to escalate its actions, raising fears of a fresh diplomatic standoff in the region.
Soon after India downgraded its diplomatic ties, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) would be held under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. The aim of this session, according to Pakistani media reports, is to decide on an “appropriate” response to India’s latest measures. Asif also warned that Pakistan is fully capable of responding if India takes any extreme step under domestic pressure.
Claims of Treaty Violation and Diplomatic Pushback
Reacting to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, both Pakistan’s government and former diplomats strongly contested the legality of the move. Asif claimed that India cannot unilaterally halt the treaty, citing the involvement of international stakeholders such as the World Bank. Former Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit echoed this sentiment, stating the treaty is binding and cannot be terminated by one party alone.
Basit also cautioned that India might pursue further aggressive actions and urged the Pakistani establishment to stay alert. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar criticized India’s steps as lacking seriousness, vowing that Pakistan would deliver a fitting diplomatic reply.
India’s Retaliatory Measures and National Resolve
In India, the government’s response has included five significant steps — the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, removal of Pakistani military attachés, closure of the Attari land transit point, and a strong declaration of future actions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pledged that a firm response would follow soon, emphasizing that the perpetrators of the attack and their backers would be held accountable.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Cabinet Committee on Security linked the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan-based terror outfits. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility, adding urgency to India’s push for justice and national security.
