India-Pakistan Conflict Escalates After Kashmir Terror Attack: Diplomats Expelled, Treaties Suspended

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, including several foreign nationals. The attack, which Indian authorities have attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups, has triggered a series of retaliatory measures and heightened military confrontations along the Line of Control (LoC).

In response to the incident, India has taken a series of aggressive diplomatic and economic steps. It expelled several Pakistani diplomats, accusing them of espionage and supporting terrorist activities. Additionally, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a historic agreement that governs the sharing of river waters between the two nations since 1960. New Delhi also revoked visas for Pakistani citizens and halted cultural and sporting exchanges, further isolating Pakistan on multiple fronts.

The Pakistani government, firmly denying any involvement in the attack, has dismissed India's allegations as "baseless and politically motivated." In retaliation, Pakistan suspended the Simla Agreement — a foundational accord from 1972 that sets the framework for bilateral relations and peaceful resolution of disputes. Pakistan also closed its airspace to Indian flights, disrupting regional air travel and trade routes.

Meanwhile, sporadic exchanges of fire and artillery shelling along the LoC have intensified, raising fears of a broader military escalation. Casualties among both soldiers and civilians have been reported on both sides. Diplomatic efforts by third parties, including the United Nations and regional powers like China and the Gulf countries, are underway to urge restraint and prevent a full-scale conflict.

The latest confrontation has plunged India-Pakistan relations into one of their most serious crises in recent years, rekindling international concerns about stability in South Asia, a region where both countries possess nuclear weapons. Analysts warn that without swift and meaningful dialogue, the risk of miscalculation or accidental escalation remains dangerously high.

Author: Global Ripple

Posted on: April 26, 2025