In Latest Diplomatic Move, India Bans Pakistan’s X Account

In a barrage of diplomatic measures taken against Pakistan, India banned the official ‘X’ account of the Government of Pakistan on Thursday morning. The move comes after Tuesday’s attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed at least 26 tourists, including one Nepali civilian.

‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, is now owned by Elon Musk. He overhauled the social media’s policies since his takeover in October 2022. He now walks a controversial tightrope of maintaining and limiting free speech while adhering to national technological policies.

“In our continuing effort to make our services available to people everywhere, if we receive a valid and properly scoped request from an authorized entity, it may be necessary to withhold access to certain content in a particular country from time to time. Such withholdings will be limited to the specific jurisdiction that has issued the valid legal demand or where the content has been found to violate local law(s),” X policies states.

New Delhi on Wednesday night announced a series of rigid actions, including declaring Pakistani military officials in India non-grata, a Latin phrase which means “unwelcome” or “unacceptable”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Wednesday evening, after which rigid measures were announced. The CCS comprises Home Minister, Defence Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister.

Wednesday’s meeting was convened to assess the Pahalgam terror attack and decide on further diplomatic actions.

What happened after the CCS meeting?

India unilaterally revoked the decades-long Indus Water Treaty of 1960 with immediate effect until Pakistan takes accountability for cross-border terrorism. 

CCS also declared defence, navy and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in India as “persona non grata”. They have one week to leave the country.

India will be also withdrawing its own defence, navy and air advisers from the Indian High Commission situated in Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad. On an additional diplomatic front, the posts in the respective High Commissions will now be deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisers will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. The number of diplomats in both countries will be reduced to 30, from the current 55.

Furthermore, the Wagah Attari border in Punjab will be closed till May 1, 2025.

On Thursday morning, Pakistani nationals could be seen exiting India via Attari border.

What are SAARC Visas?

Misri also stated that Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).

“Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled,” Misri announced on Wednesday. Moreover, any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.

The SVES was launched in 1992 after the Fourth Summit which was conducted in Islamabad in 1988. The summit concluded that certain categories of dignitaries from SAARC countries will be authorized to special travel documents, thereby excusing them from visas within the SAARC region. The dignitaries include judges of higher courts, senior officials, sportspersons, judges of higher courts, officials, ministers and businessmen.  

What has been happening since the attack?

Tuesday’s attack - the worst India has seen since the 2008 Mumbai attack - shook the country. 

On Wednesday, security forces released the sketches, photos and names of the militants involved in the terror attack. Anantnag Police announced a reward of Rs. 20 lakhs on information for the arrest of Pakistan nationals and militants Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa.

Political leaders across the world have condemned the attack. 

Modi cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to India on Wednesday. Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar and met with the families of the victims. He also visited the site of the crime in Pahalgam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed a “loud and clear” response to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror.

Modi arrived in Bihar on Thursday, inaugurating development projects in Madhubani.

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