 Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 23: In a move underscoring India’s escalating tensions with Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft deliberately avoided Pakistani airspace during his emergency return from Saudi Arabia to Delhi, following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
This decision, coupled with reports of potential major diplomatic actions, indicates that the Indian government is seriously contemplating severing all diplomatic ties with Pakistan in response to the attack, widely attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups.
On Tuesday, April 22, Modi’s Indian Air Force Boeing 777-300 had crossed Pakistani airspace en route to Jeddah for a two-day state visit. However, after the Pahalgam attack, which prompted him to cut short his trip, the return flight took a longer route over the Arabian Sea, entering India via Gujarat. This detour, confirmed by flight tracking visuals, was seen as a deliberate signal of India’s unwillingness to engage with Pakistan, even symbolically, amid heightened security concerns and suspicions of Pakistani involvement in the attack.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the massacre at Baisaran meadow, described as a meticulously planned operation targeting civilians. Intelligence sources suggest the involvement of foreign terrorists, likely Pakistanis, who infiltrated the Valley days before the attack, further fueling India’s accusations of Pakistan’s complicity.
Sources indicate that the Indian government is preparing a multidimensional response to the Pahalgam attack, with significant diplomatic measures under consideration. Among the options reportedly being discussed are:
Scrapping the Indus Waters Treaty: The 1960 treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan, has long been a point of contention. Revoking or redefining it within legal bounds could severely impact Pakistan’s water resources, signaling India’s intent to leverage economic and environmental pressure.
India is contemplating cutting all diplomatic relations with Pakistan, a move that would mark a near-total breakdown in bilateral engagement. Relations have been strained since India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, prompting Pakistan to downgrade ties.
Shutting Down the High Commission in Islamabad: Closing India’s High Commission in Islamabad would effectively end formal diplomatic presence, further isolating Pakistan on the international stage.
These measures, if implemented, would represent a significant escalation in India’s strategy to counter Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism. Posts on X and media reports suggest that the government is weighing these steps to raise the cost of Pakistan’s proxy war, with some analysts drawing parallels to India’s post-Pulwama response in 2019, which included the Balakot airstrikes. |
