Tensions Rise: India's Bold Move After Deadly Kashmir Attack

The aftermath of a deadly attack in the mountain town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir has led to significant diplomatic fallout. India has taken a firm stance by closing a border with Pakistan, downgrading diplomatic ties, and suspending a key water treaty. The Indus Waters Treaty, negotiated by the World Bank in 1960, governs the use of water from six rivers that flow through both countries, impacting hundreds of millions of people. India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, announced that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan takes concrete steps to end its support for cross-border terrorism. Additionally, India has halted a special visa program for Pakistani nationals and ordered those already in the country to leave within 48 hours. Military advisers from Pakistan serving in New Delhi have been given a week to depart, and India will recall its own diplomats from Islamabad. The attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, has been described as the worst since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Indian media and analysts have pointed to Pakistan's involvement, citing a recent speech by Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, who reiterated support for Kashmiris' struggle against what he termed "Indian occupation. " This is not the first time such tensions have arisen. Since the early 1990s, thousands of civilians and Indian military personnel have been killed in Kashmir due to armed militancy. The region has been a contentious issue since India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947. Both countries claim Kashmir in its entirety, leading to three wars and ongoing disputes. In 2019, the Indian Parliament revoked Kashmir's administrative autonomy, a move that many in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party blamed for the violence in the region. The years following saw a decrease in violent attacks, but recent years have witnessed an uptick, often targeting Indian migrant workers. The militant group Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, stating it was in retaliation for demographic changes in the valley since 2019. Leaders, including President Trump, have expressed support for India, with calls for retaliatory actions against Pakistan growing louder on Indian right-wing news channels. However, critics argue that the focus on Pakistan overshadows the failures of the Indian establishment in ensuring the safety of its citizens in Kashmir. Analysts point out that India's Hindu nationalist government has alienated Kashmir's residents and weakened the Indian army's network of local informers. The policy of domination and oppression has increased the emotional distance between Kashmir and Delhi, making the situation more complex and volatile. The attack and its aftermath highlight the deep-seated issues that need to be addressed for lasting peace in the region.