Flaring up old hostilities: Pakistan shuts skies for India following Kashmir attack and treaty termination
India-bound flights prohibited as Pakistan shuts airspace following attack and annulment of accord
Chatterbox Babble Whisper Mailbag Printout Copy Link Following a terror attack on tourists in the Indian region of Kashmir, the antagonism between India and Pakistan has reignited. On a thunderous Thursday, Pakistan barred Indian airlines from its skies as a retaliation to India's termination of a water agreement. This arrangement, signed in 1960, governs the shared use of the Indus and its tributaries, a lifeblood for both countries, especially Pakistan.
"The Pakistani authorities will retaliate with swift countermeasures against any threat to their sovereignty and people," declared a statement from the National Security Council post their meeting. Prior to this, India had barred Pakistani passport holders from entering the country and ordered them to depart immediately. Indian nationals were urged to return home posthaste.
In the Kashmir Valley, the scene of carnage, 26 travelers were ruthlessly slain on Tuesday. Indian officials claim that some of the aggressors were Pakistanis. "We'll track them down to the ends of the world," asserted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To date, none of the perpetrators have been apprehended.
Source: ntv.de, rts
Further Reading:
- Indus Water Treaty Crisis: The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), now a center of attention, has been suspended by India. This move is part of a series of punitive measures orchestrated against Pakistan, including protocol downgrades, visa revocations, and reduced diplomatic staff[1].
- Repercussions of the IWT Suspension: The suspension of the IWT carries grave implications for the ongoing confrontation:
- Water Wars: The treaty, designed to manage water from six rivers between India and Pakistan, now fuels tensions over water resources. The potential consequences extend to agricultural industries and everyday life in both nations.
- ** heightened Tensions:** India's move escalates the already escalated tensions between the countries, inching them closer to open warfare. The UN urges both nations to exercise restraint in light of the intensifying tensions[2].
- Economic Hardship: The suspension, coupled with other economic sanctions such as trade halts, could lead to severe economic difficulties for both countries, potentially exacerbating political instability in the region.
Historical Perspective:
The conflict roots in the protracted debate over Kashmir, with each country accusing the other of stoking violence and unrest. The recent attack has augmented these tensions, contributing to a cycle of tit-for-tat deeds that threaten regional stability. The international community, including the UN, implores calm and peaceful solutions to the conflict[1][2].
- The Pakistani authorities have announced their intention to take swift countermeasures in response to any threat to their sovereignty and people, as stated by the National Security Council following a meeting.
- In the wake of the Indus Water Treaty being suspended by India, there are grave implications for the ongoing confrontation between the two countries, including the potential for 'Water Wars' over shared river resources and their subsequent impact on agricultural industries and everyday life.
- The latest attack in the Kashmir Valley has intensified the already escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, prompting concerns from the international community, including the UN, about the risk of open warfare.
- The diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan has gone beyond just peaceful protests, as India has revoked Pakistani visas and ordered them to depart immediately, while the Pakistani authorities have barred Indian airlines from their skies in retaliation.
