India Cuts Diplomatic Ties, Water Deal With Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Strike

India Cuts Diplomatic Ties, Water Deal With Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Strike
Jitendra Kumar
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Voices from Kashmir

In the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the region of Jammu and Kashmir was plunged into mourning and anger. The victims—many of them families on vacation—were from various states across India, underscoring the national impact of the tragedy.

Local residents, though used to years of conflict and security presence, were visibly shaken. “This was different,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a hotel manager in Pahalgam. “They didn’t target soldiers or security camps this time. They went after civilians—women, children, elders. It’s terrifying.”

Security forces have intensified cordon and search operations across South Kashmir, leading to a number of arrests. However, fear and tension remain high among residents as speculation swirls about further violence.

Economic Ramifications

The decision to suspend trade and halt border crossings is expected to have economic implications—albeit asymmetrical—for both countries.

For India, trade with Pakistan had already dwindled due to past diplomatic breakdowns and tariff barriers, and the formal closure will have minimal direct impact on GDP. However, certain border states like Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir may see disruptions in small-scale border trade, especially involving agricultural goods and textiles.

For Pakistan, the effects could be more significant. Indian cotton, pharmaceuticals, and certain machinery parts were still finding their way to Pakistani markets—legally or via third-party countries. With the border closure and freezing of all cross-border transactions, shortages of key supplies may follow.

Moreover, investors and multinational corporations have flagged growing risks in the region, with some Indian and foreign businesses pressing for contingency planning should further conflict erupt.

Cultural and People-to-People Impact

Aside from trade, the shutdown of the Wagah-Attari border and suspension of visas has a deep emotional and cultural impact on citizens of both countries.

For years, families separated by Partition have relied on limited travel options across the border to reunite with relatives. Many elderly people now fear they will not see their loved ones again. Cultural exchanges, religious pilgrimages (such as Sikh yatras to Nankana Sahib), and academic collaborations have all been frozen.

Filmmakers, writers, and peace activists from both sides have issued open letters urging restraint and appealing to preserve people-to-people ties amid government-level breakdowns. “We cannot allow the pain of a heinous act to blind us to our shared history and humanity,” read one widely shared letter co-signed by over 200 South Asian intellectuals.

Strategic Intent Behind India’s Response

India’s response appears to be a calculated attempt to shift the regional narrative and put Pakistan under international scrutiny.

By invoking the Indus Waters Treaty—long seen as a symbol of bilateral cooperation despite wars and crises—India has escalated the dispute from a counterterrorism matter to one of international law and regional stability.

Foreign policy analysts suggest New Delhi is signaling that it is no longer satisfied with limited or symbolic responses to terror incidents. “India is raising the cost of cross-border terror support by directly challenging the frameworks that benefit both nations,” said Dr. Radhika Menon, a strategic affairs expert at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

This approach, however, comes with the risk of unintended escalation. “If Pakistan retaliates militarily or seeks to internationalize the issue further, it could lead to a regional flashpoint,” Menon added.

Role of Technology and Social Media

Technology has played a dual role in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. On the one hand, digital platforms helped families locate missing members and allowed citizens to quickly share emergency information. On the other hand, a wave of misinformation and incendiary rhetoric has swept across social media, further inflaming public sentiment.

Videos purporting to show “celebrations” across the border (some later proven to be from unrelated events) have been circulated to justify hardline measures. The Indian government has warned media outlets against spreading unverified content and has placed some regions under internet restrictions to prevent the spread of rumors.

Activists have raised concerns about digital censorship, but officials insist these are temporary measures to maintain public order.

Long-Term Regional Implications

The implications of India’s actions are likely to ripple beyond just the Indo-Pak relationship. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty sets a dangerous precedent for transboundary water-sharing agreements globally.

Water experts warn that if such treaties are treated as political leverage, it could undermine decades of international consensus on cooperative river basin management. Similar treaties in the Nile, Mekong, and Jordan River basins are now under more scrutiny.

Regionally, India’s assertive posture may influence its relationships with China and other SAARC members. It could either consolidate regional support or push neighbors into uncomfortable diplomatic balancing acts.

Closing Thoughts

India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closure of the Attari border mark a watershed moment in its foreign policy approach toward Pakistan. While the move is framed as a firm and necessary response to terror, it opens up a complex web of legal, diplomatic, environmental, and humanitarian consequences.

The path forward remains uncertain. Much will depend on the reactions from Islamabad, the role of global mediators, and whether both nations can avoid further provocations.

As the world watches closely, the hopes of millions rest not just on justice for Pahalgam—but on the ability of two historic rivals to avert yet another spiral into conflict.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.