Pahalgam Tragedy Raises SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) Question - Indian Government Halts It for Pakistani Citizens amidst Increased Tension
Changing Tides in SAARC: India Revokes Visa Privileges for Pakistani Nationals
In the aftermath of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which took the lives of 26 innocent souls, India made a significant move by cancelling the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani citizens [3][5]. Here's what you need to know:
- Revoked Privileges: AllSvES visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals have been declared void[3][5]. Affected individuals are required to exit India within 48 hours following the April 23 announcement [3][5].
- Travel Restrictions: Pakistani nationals are no longer allowed to enter India under the SVES, a scheme designed to facilitate simplified travel among SAARC member states [3][5].
- Long-Term Visa Exception: Visas issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals under Long-Term Visa (LTV) arrangements will remain valid, despite the broader restrictions [5].
This decision comes as part of India's enhanced security measures, and is accompanied by other actions such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and reducing Pakistan's diplomatic staff in India to just 30 personnel by May 1, 2025[5]. Medical visas for Pakistanis will remain valid until April 29, 2025[5].
Remember, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, was established in 1985 [6]. The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, launched in 1992, aims to exempt certain categories of dignitaries, judges, parliamentarians, senior officials, businesspersons, journalists, sportspersons, and others from visa requirements within the region [6].
SAARC: A Regional Cooperation Initiative
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was born on December 8, 1985, following the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka [6]. Today, SAARC includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka [6].
The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was established in 1992, with the aim of exempting certain categories of dignitaries, judges, parliamentarians, senior officials, businesspersons, journalists, sportspersons, and others from visa requirements within the region [6]. Currently, the scheme covers 24 categories. The validity of the Visa Sticker is for one year, and member countries are encouraged to review the scheme's implementation periodically [6].
It's worth noting that, according to a document shared in 2015, citizens of SAARC countries are generally eligible for a Business Visa to India for up to five years, or for a shorter duration based on specific needs. However, this provision does not apply to nationals of Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan [2].
- The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), a regional cooperation initiative founded in 1985, aims to exempt certain categories of individuals, including sportspersons, from visa requirements within the region, as stated in the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme launched in 1992.
- However, recent events, such as the Pahalgam terror attack in 2025, have led to a revocation of privileges for Pakistani nationals, specifically the invalidation of previously issued SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas and the prohibition of future entry into India under the SVES.
- Politics and war-and-conflicts appear to have affected the effectiveness of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, with India's decision to cancel the scheme for Pakistani citizens being a significant move in the region's ongoing tensions.
- This change in the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals is part of a broader policy shift in India's foreign relations, including the reduction of Pakistan's diplomatic staff in India and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, signifying a complex political landscape in South Asia.
