After the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Indian government has taken strong steps against Pakistan. One of the major decisions is suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals. The government has given all Pakistanis in India under this scheme 48 hours to leave the country.

This step comes after The Resistance Front (TRF), a terrorist group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the move shows that countries around the world now share a "zero tolerance for terrorism" policy. The decision was also approved by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

What is the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES)?

The SVES was launched in 1992 to promote peace, people-to-people contact, and cooperation among SAARC countries. These countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Afghanistan.

The idea was first discussed during the 1988 SAARC Summit in Islamabad. The scheme allowed certain categories of people, like government officials, MPs, judges, journalists, sportspersons, and business leaders, to travel across SAARC countries without a visa.

These people were given a special visa sticker, valid for one year, allowing them easy travel within the region. It was seen as a tool to improve trust and understanding among SAARC nations.

For Pakistani nationals, this scheme gave simplified access to India, especially for diplomats, journalists, businesspeople, and cultural figures. While India had paused the scheme a few times in the past, this is the first time it has been completely cancelled for one country.

What other steps has India taken?

India has also taken other strong diplomatic steps after the Pahalgam terror attack:

  • Indus Waters Treaty suspended: India has stopped following the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
  • Attari-Wagah border closed: India has shut the border crossing and asked all Pakistani nationals in India with valid documents to leave by May 1.
  • Diplomats reduced: India has declared Pakistani defence advisors as ‘persona non grata’, meaning they are no longer welcome. Both countries will now have only 30 staff members each in their High Commissions (down from 55).

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