The Narendra Modi government has implemented a multi-faceted approach to counter terrorism emanating from Pakistan, focussing on military, diplomatic, legislative and strategic measures.

In terms of military offensives, following the Uri terror attack, which killed over 19 Indian soldiers, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure and were a significant shift from the previous policy of lethargy under the erstwhile Congress dispensation, signalling a proactive stance. In response to the Pulwama attack, where over 40 CRPF personnel were killed, the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Balakot, Pakistan. This operation, deep inside Pakistani territory, dismantled terror infrastructure and demonstrated India’s ruthless willingness to escalate, if the need arose.

The Modi government has also prioritised strengthening border infrastructure, including roads, tunnels and fencing, to prevent cross-border infiltration. This includes a 10-fold reduction in cross-border infiltration between 2010 and 2023. The Modi administration has empowered security forces to neutralise threats decisively, adopting a “free hand" approach for operations against terrorists. This was evident post-Uri and Pulwama, with the government emphasising pre-emptive and retaliatory actions. PM Modi’s zero tolerance for terror has played out brilliantly for India.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed over 26 people, India suspended cooperation under the Indus Waters Treaty, signalling a strong diplomatic response to Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism. This move was described by Pakistan as an “act of war", highlighting how the rogue State of Pakistan was completely stunned with Modi’s diplomatic offensive.

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a key water-sharing agreement brokered in 1960, will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abstains from supporting and perpetrating cross-border terrorism. Experts opine that Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on Law of the Treaties provides sufficient room under which the IWT treaty can be repudiated in view of the fundamental change of circumstances which has occurred with regard to those existing at the time of conclusion of the treaty.

India, being an upper riparian country, even practically speaking, has huge leverage and advantage. That it never used this lever is simply because it chose not to, but the Pahalgam terror attack has changed everything and now there is no going back. Pakistan’s terror proxies will be handed out “unimaginable punishment", to quote Modi. Last year, India sent a formal notice to Pakistan, seeking the “review and modification" of the treaty.

The integrated Attari-Wagah check post has also been closed with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the Saarc visa exemption scheme. Any SPES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SPES visa has 48 hours to leave India. India will be withdrawing its defence, navy and air advisors........

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