India Suspends SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani Nationals Following Pahalgam Attack

Image Source: CNBC TV18

The Indian government has officially suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, requiring all individuals under the scheme to leave the country within 48 hours. The decision follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.

Key Developments

- The suspension of the visa exemption scheme was announced by the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The Resistance Front, a proxy group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack, prompting India to take immediate diplomatic and security measures.
- The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, established in 1992, was designed to facilitate travel among member states, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
- Under the scheme, individuals from 24 designated categories, including diplomats, business leaders, and journalists, were granted visa-free access across SAARC nations.
- India has also suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and shut the Attari-Wagah border, further tightening diplomatic relations.

Impact and Response

The suspension marks a significant shift in India’s approach to regional cooperation, signaling a firm stance against cross-border terrorism. Pakistani nationals who were previously eligible for visa-free travel under the scheme must now exit India within the stipulated timeframe. The move is expected to have diplomatic repercussions, affecting bilateral engagements and trade discussions between the two nations.

Sources: NDTV, Telangana Today, CNBC TV18.