In a swift and forceful response to escalating tensions with neighboring India, Pakistan has downgraded its diplomatic ties, expelling Indian diplomats and suspending limited trade. The decision comes after a deadly attack in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the expulsion of at least three Indian defense advisers and their support staff from Islamabad. The move follows a similar action by India, which expelled three Pakistani defense and naval advisers from its high commission in New Delhi just a day prior. In addition, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines in a further sign of deteriorating relations.
The diplomatic tit-for-tat occurred during a meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee, which includes top civilian and military leaders. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif condemned India’s actions, with Asif calling India’s suspension of a water-sharing treaty “disastrous.” The water-sharing agreement, which dates back decades, is a crucial aspect of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
The recent attack in Kashmir, which saw militants kill dozens of tourists, has been attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group. Police in Kashmir have identified three suspects involved in the attack, two of whom are reportedly Pakistani nationals. This development has further inflamed tensions, with Indian authorities vowing to track down and “punish” the perpetrators.
The Kashmir region has long been a flashpoint between the nuclear-armed rivals, with the two nations having fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory since their independence in 1947. The most recent flare-up occurred in 2019 after a suicide bombing in Kashmir killed 40 Indian security personnel, an attack for which the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility. In retaliation, India conducted airstrikes on Pakistani soil, marking the first such military action since 1971.
Despite the rising tensions, India has opted for a more measured approach this time, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government calling it a “graded response.” Experts, such as Harsh Pant from Kings College in London, have noted the calculated nature of India’s actions, suggesting that while the situation is volatile, India may be seeking to avoid full-scale escalation.
