India has cancelled the 'SAARC Visa Waiver' programme for Pakistanis after the armed attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This decision was taken in an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting also decided that all SAARC visas issued to Pakistanis earlier will be considered cancelled and those currently staying in India will have to leave the country within 48 hours.

Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary Vikram Misri said, "Pakistani citizens will no longer be able to enter India under the SAARC Visa Waiver Programme. Those who had previously received this facility will have their visas considered cancelled."

In addition, the Attari border post between the two countries has also been closed indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has also cancelled the long-standing Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. This decision is being seen as a retaliatory move.

Analysts say New Delhi is reacting by blaming Pakistan for the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. “This is effectively a declaration of war,” said Dr. Tara Kartha, director of the Center for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). “This attack and India’s response come on the heels of provocative statements by the Pakistani army chief.”

These incidents have heightened geopolitical tensions in South Asia.

Source: Al Jazeera