Trade, water and airspace: How India put pressure on Pakistan after Pahalgam terror attack

## The Indian Response to the Terror Attack in Pahalgam: Trade, Water, and Airspace ### The Beginning 26 tourists from 13 Indian states were killed in a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. A representative of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility. A series of strategic retaliatory measures that targeted trade, water sharing, and airspace agreements were initiated after India held Pakistan accountable for supporting cross-border terrorism. [The New Indian Express] and [AP News]) ---

### Trade Measures: Disrupting Economic Bindings Immediately Stopping Trade India immediately imposed a ban on imports from Pakistan or those transiting through Pakistan following the attack. Indian ports also prohibited Pakistani ships from docking there. These actions were intended to demonstrate India's zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism and economically isolate Pakistan. ([Reuters][3])

#### The Wagah-Attari Border Will Be Closed. India also closed the Wagah-Attari border, the only road crossing that was open to passengers between the two countries. This move put a strain on bilateral relations by disrupting limited trade and people-to-people exchanges. [2] (The New Indian Express) ---

### Water Diplomacy: Making Use of the Indo-Pacific Waters Treaty The Indus Waters Treaty's suspension The Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement mediated by the World Bank that divided river waters between India and Pakistan, was put on hold by India. The treaty had survived previous conflicts, so the suspension was significant. The decision made by India indicated a shift toward a more assertive response to terrorism. (The New Indian Express [2], The Daily Guardian [4], #### The Shahpur Kandi Barrage has been completed. The Shahpur Kandi Barrage that India completed on the Ravi River effectively halted the flow of water into Pakistan. India is now able to fully utilize its allocated share of the river's resources thanks to this project, which was delayed for decades due to disputes between states. The water is anticipated to boost local agriculture by irrigating over 32,000 hectares of land in the Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir. (News18 [6]; Pakistan Today [5]) ---

### Airspace Restrictions: Getting Around Conflicted Airspace Pakistan's closure of its airspace Pakistan closed Indian aircraft's airspace in retaliation, causing flight operations to be disrupted and driving up costs for Indian airlines. Pakistan's economy suffered as a result of this decision, which resulted in a significant loss of overflight revenue. Pakistan's aviation industry suffered losses of approximately $100 million during a similar closure in 2019. [7] (The Daily Guardian) ---

### Diplomatic Repercussions: Growing Tensions ### Diplomats' Expulsion India cut diplomatic ties with Pakistan, expelling Pakistani military attachés, and closing the land-transit post at Attari. Indian diplomats were expelled from Pakistan as a response, and bilateral agreements were put on hold. The two nuclear-armed neighbors' diplomatic ties significantly soured as a result of these actions. ([Reuters] [3]; [AP News Hub] [8]) ---

### In the end A strategic shift toward utilizing economic and diplomatic tools to combat terrorism is demonstrated by India's multifaceted response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which includes airspace restrictions, the suspension of water treaties, and trade bans. India-Pakistan relations have been significantly strained as a result of these measures, which has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the possibility of further escalation. The world community keeps a close eye on both nations as they deal with this difficult and uncertain situation. ---

*Please keep in mind that the data presented in this article are as of May 4, 2025. Please refer to official government statements and reliable news sources for the most recent developments. *

One: https://apnews.com/article/70ad575139eeef3673c0c99cbed30302 "Pakistan test fires ballistic missile as tensions with India rise after Kashmir gun massacre" is the utm_source for this article. [2]: https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Apr/23/pahalgam-attack-fallout-india-suspends-indus-waters-treaty-with-pakistan-closes-wagah-attari-border "Pahalgam attack fallout: India suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, shuts Wagah-Attari border" utm_source=chatgpt.com [3]: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/india-bans-imports-pakistan-amid-tension-over-tourist-killings-2020503? "India bans imports from Pakistan amid tension over tourist killings" is the utm_source for this article. [4]: https://india.thedailyguardian.com/pakistanis-cannot-travel-to-india-indus-treaty-suspended-indias-bold-move-after-pahalgam-attack/? "Pakistanis Can't Travel to India, Indus Treaty Suspended: India's Bold Move after Pahalgam Attack" utm_source=chatgpt.com [5]: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/02/25/india-completely-stops-water-flow-to-pakistan-with-shahpur-kandi-barrage-on-ravi-river/? "'Water terrorism' intensifies as India stops Pakistan from receiving water from the Ravi River | Pakistan Today" [6]