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International Desk: In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan has announced the immediate suspension of all trade, bilateral agreements, and the closure of its air and land borders with India.
The decision, declared following a high-level National Security Committee (NSC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, comes as a direct response to India’s recent diplomatic and economic measures against Pakistan, which were triggered by a deadly attack in Phelgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives.
The attack in India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir has intensified the long-standing rivalry between New Delhi and Islamabad. India has accused Pakistan of being responsible for the assault, a charge that Pakistan has vehemently denied. In response, India announced a series of stringent measures on Wednesday, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, and a ban on visas for Pakistani citizens. New Delhi also ordered Pakistani nationals to leave India within 48 hours and closed key border crossings, including the Wagah border.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan condemned India’s actions as “provocative” and “unilateral,” asserting that they violate international agreements. The NSC meeting, attended by key figures including the Defense Minister, Foreign Minister, Interior Minister, National Security Adviser, and chiefs of the armed forces, resolved to take a hardline stance. According to a report by Reuters, Pakistan has suspended all forms of trade with India, including third-country trade routes passing through its territory. Additionally, Islamabad has barred Indian airlines from using its airspace and closed the Wagah border, a critical trade and transit point.
“Pakistan strongly rejects India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty,” the statement read. “Any attempt to obstruct the water flow allocated to Pakistan or to violate the treaty will be considered an act equivalent to war.” The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two nations and has been a cornerstone of their bilateral relations despite decades of hostility.
The closure of air and land borders and the suspension of trade are expected to have significant economic and geopolitical ramifications. The Wagah border, a vital conduit for goods and people, facilitates trade worth millions annually, including exports of cement, textiles, and agricultural products from Pakistan to India. The suspension of third-country trade routes could also disrupt India’s commerce with Afghanistan and Central Asia, which relies heavily on Pakistani territory.
Analysts warn that the tit-for-tat measures risk further destabilizing South Asia, a region already fraught with security challenges. “Both nations are engaging in a dangerous game of brinkmanship,” said Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a prominent security analyst based in Islamabad. “The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of borders could push the region toward a broader conflict if not addressed through dialogue.”
The international community has expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation. The United Nations has called for restraint, urging both nations to resolve their differences through diplomatic channels. The United States and China, key players in South Asian geopolitics, have yet to issue formal statements, but diplomatic sources indicate that both are closely monitoring the situation.
The India-Pakistan rivalry, rooted in the 1947 partition of British India, has been marked by three major wars and numerous skirmishes, particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir. The Phelgam attack, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed militants, has reignited tensions at a time when both nations were cautiously exploring avenues for dialogue. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, in particular, is seen as a significant escalation, given its status as one of the few enduring agreements between the two countries.
As both nations dig in their heels, the international community faces the daunting task of preventing a further slide into conflict. For now, the people of South Asia brace for the economic and social fallout of this latest chapter in the India-Pakistan saga.
Source: Reuters, Prime Minister’s Office (Pakistan
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