
India summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, in New Delhi late last night and a formal persona non grata note was handed over for all Pakistani military diplomats, sources confirmed. India’s strong diplomatic retaliation follows the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national.
The forced scaling down of Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi, including the expulsion of all Pakistani Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors, is seen as one of the most consequential measures taken by India following the Pahalgam attack. They have been given a week’s time to exit.
Indian counterparts will also be withdrawn from Islamabad. This move, seen as a prelude to a possible complete shutdown of the High Commission, has already rattled Pakistan’s Foreign Office, as it has been completely cut off diplomatically by India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday, during which an unprecedented series of steps were taken in response to Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism.
In a strongly worded statement issued late Wednesday evening, India announced the effective downgrading of diplomatic relations with Pakistan, closure of key border routes, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches from its High Commission in New Delhi.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the news conference by promising that India will pursue those responsible for the attacks.
“CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigilance. It resolved that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror or conspired to make them possible,” he said.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.