India, Pakistan tensions escalate after tourism attacks: What we know so far – Country
India and Pakistan retaliated after they canceled visas for their respective citizens on Thursday, and Islamabad retaliated after New Delhi suspended a water river treaty between the two countries.
The diplomatic relegation between the two countries comes after India's tourism attacks, with officials blaming Pakistani militants.
A gunman opened fire in a heavily controversial area in Kashmir on Tuesday, killing 26 people, most of whom were tourists, in the deadliest attack on civilians in the area.
No group is officially responsible for the attack.
radiation
In response, India said it would revoke all visas issued to Pakistani nationals on Sunday and ordered Pakistanis who are currently leaving the country to leave before that.
It also announced it was cutting diplomats, closing the only available land border between India and Pakistan, and suspending a key moisture classification treaty.
In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines and suspended all trade with India, including traveling to and from any third-party country.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh promised on Wednesday to “track not only those who were attacked, but those who conspired to commit such evil acts on our land,” according to the Associated Press, hinting at the possibility of a military strike.
Pakistan's National Security Council condemns India's “war measures”. It said that while Pakistan remains committed to peace, it will never allow anyone to “violate its sovereignty, security, dignity and inalienable rights”.
Government ministers on both sides have hinted that the dispute could escalate into military action. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the local Dunga News TV channel that “any dynamic step in India will see the dynamic response of the tit tat.”
Indian Army soldiers stood in their cars after attacking Indian tourists in Srinagar, India on April 23, 2025.
Yawar Nazir/Getty Images
New Delhi describes all armed forces in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism. Pakistan denies this, and many Muslim Kashmiris believe militants are part of the native freedom struggle.
In a speech on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to discover those responsible for the attack.
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He swore: “We will chase them to the end of the earth.”
Why is Kashmir important
Kashmir, located in the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent, is currently divided between India and Pakistan, with each controlling about half of the territory, both claiming to be all. China also exercises jurisdiction in eastern Kashmir.
The map of Kashmir details its split geographical lines.
BBC/Kashmir profile
The Himalayas became a deeply rooted area of debate in 1947, when both countries gained independence from British rule, allowing Kashmir to freely choose which country (if any).
At the time, its leader, Kashmir's Majesty Hari Singh, wanted it to remain independent, despite his temporary “stagnation agreement” with Pakistan to maintain the status quo and maintain transportation and other services.
Shortly thereafter, when part of the Pakistan-led rebel invasion was stimulated by the lack of decision-making by the Maharaja, he chose India's military aid, which caused widespread damage.
Former Indian governor Lord Louis Mountbatten stepped in and suggested as a temporary peace measure, namely Kashmir joining India, and then voted to approve its official status. Hari Singh soon signed the means of joining the agreement, handing over control of his foreign and defence policies to India.
Indian troops continued to occupy two-thirds of the territory, and Pakistani forces controlled the rest of the northern region.
Whether Indian troops enter Kashmir before or after Hari Singh signed the agreement remains controversial between India and Pakistan.
India argued that Hari Singh signed first to legalize the existence of their troops, but Pakistan argued that the Maharaja did not sign before the Indian army entered Kashmir, and he and India thus bypassed the “stagnant” agreement with Pakistan.
Although some Kashmiris compete for independence, neither of these countries have deviated from their position for decades, a solution that neither Pakistan nor India are willing to consider.
According to National Geographic data, Pakistan and India have fought many wars in Kashmir since 1947, including 1947-1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999.
What is the Indian Water Treaty?
The water used by nuclear weapons neighbors in rivers flowing from downstream India into Pakistan’s Indus Valley does not agree.
The Indian Water Treaty, mediated by the World Bank and signed by neighboring countries, was signed in September 1960, separates the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and is subject to controlled water sharing. India is awarded water for use from three eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas and Ravi), while Pakistan is awarded most of the three western rivers of the Indus, Guilum and Chainab.
There is no clause in the treaty that unilaterally suspends or terminates the terms of the agreement, which has a clear dispute resolution system.
Pakistan relies heavily on the water, water, electricity and irrigation needs of the river system. Pakistan said India unfairly transferred water to the upstream construction of the barrage and dam, an allegation that India denied.
Pakistan is concerned that India’s dams will reduce flow of the river, which serves 80% of its irrigated agriculture.
India accused Pakistan of delaying the complaint process and said the treaty allowed the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects. It also seeks to modify the agreement to resolve such delays.
The suspension of the agreement will not immediately affect Pakistan's water flows as India does not have enough storage capacity, but India's moves may bring uncertainty to Pakistan's agricultural system.
Indian officials said the suspension means India can stop sharing critical information and data on releasing water from ballistics/dams or floods, adding that New Delhi also has no obligation to release the least amount of water during the lean season.
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– Documents with the Associated Press and Reuters
