Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 04/24/2025 2:53:39 PM PDT by nickcarraway
In short:
India and Pakistan have escalated a diplomatic offensive against each other, days after a deadly attack in Kashmir.
Both countries have expelled senior officials and cancelled visas held by nationals of the other.
What's next?
India has vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack to "the ends of the earth".
Pakistan has warned India that any move to restrict water into the country would be considered "an act of war", as relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours further deteriorate days after a deadly attack.
The attack at a popular tourist destination in India-controlled Kashmir that left 26 people dead and 17 other people wounded sparked outrage in New Delhi, which accused Islamabad of supporting the militants behind it.
New Delhi said it had "cross-border" links to Pakistan, without providing any evidence.
Kashmir police later released the names of three militants it alleged were behind the attack, claiming two were Pakistani.
Islamabad denied any involvement, with a previously unknown militant group that called itself the Kashmir Resistance claiming responsibility.
Hundreds have joined protests across Pakistan following India laying blame for the attack.
India and Pakistan claim the entirety of the Kashmir as its own, but both countries administer a part of the region, which has long been a point of contention.
Two soldiers walk down a path next to people taking photos on the banks of a river India has increased security across Kashmir in the aftermath of the attack. (AP Photo: Mukhtar Khan)
In the days following the attack, both countries have launched a diplomatic offensive against the other.
Pakistan has suspended all trade with India.
Islamabad also announced that Pakistan's airspace was closed for Indian airlines.
The two countries have cancelled the visas of nationals from the other country and expelled senior military officials.
The main land border between the two countries will also close.
Diplomatic missions in both countries will reduce from 55 to 30 as of May 1.
Indus Water Treaty suspended
India has also moved to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, which details how water that flows from India to Pakistan can be used by the countries.
Pakistan relies on the water under the agreement for 80 per cent of its irrigated agriculture and hydropower needs.
The agreement has been in place since 1960 and there is no provision in the treaty for either side to suspend or terminate the pact.
An effigy of a person burns on the ground as people stand around chanting in a semi-circle Anti-Pakistan protests have broken out in some parts of India this week. (AP Photo: Ajit Solanki)
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reacted firmly to India's move to suspend the pact.
"Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty … will be considered as an act of war and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of national power," a statement from his office said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said India's claim that Islamabad was behind the Kashmir attack was "irresponsible".
At a rally on Thursday, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country would "identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers."
"We will pursue them to the ends of the earth," Mr Modi said.
A soldier with his hands clasped in prayer stands in front of a coffin wrapped in plastic with flowers on top Funeral services are continuing for those killed in the attack in Kashmir. (AP Photo)
He was expected to head meetings with all parties in India to discuss the country's response.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this week pledged to "not only trace those who perpetrated the attack but also trace those who conspired to commit this nefarious act on our soil" and hinted at the possibility of military strikes.
Pakistan changed position on jihadi groups
Samina Yasmeen, Director for the Centre for Muslim States & Societies at the University of Western Australia, said it was less likely that Pakistan supported the militants behind the attack than ten years ago.
She said the government and military had supported some groups in the past, but that both had "toned down" its support since the 1990s and early 2000s, when it had used militants "for jihadi purposes".
"If you constantly promote jihadi groups you can actually be a target yourself," Professor Yasmeen said. "The Pakistani government's position has changed, but that still doesn't mean that there aren't some groups that are either taking it on their own, or have got some support — maybe not necessarily from the top-brass of the government — but somewhere."
Pakistan retaliates after India closes border, pauses water treaty in wake of deadly Kashmir attack | The World | ABC News
She said it looked unlikely at this stage that the two countries would engage in a full-blown conflict because neither could afford it economically, and New Delhi was trying to build stronger ties in the region.
"[India] couldn't be seen to be responding to something that they have come up with as an allegation by attacking Pakistan," she said.
"There could be incursions in the Pakistani side of Kashmir, but we will have to see how it goes."
Kashmir in mourning Residents of Kashmir have been shocked by the attack on the tourists, with militants previously attacking Indian security forces.
Some Kashmiris have taken to the streets in protest following the attack, while others have held candle-lit vigils for those killed.
Markets, private schools and businesses were shut on Wednesday, local time, amid an uneasy calm following the violence.
The area had become a tourist hotspot, but many had rushed to leave in recent days.
“The people here are in fear and panic,” said hotelier Manzoor Ahmed, adding that tourists would now be skeptical of visiting Kashmir.
Funerals of several of those killed were also held across some Indian cities.
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I wonder if they will be slugging it out soon?
Yes. In Kashmir and the UK.
If they do slug it out what do we get out of it?
This could, if it gets out of hand, make Russia/Ukraine look like a minor skirmish. Hope saner heads prevail. I am familiar with the ugly history of the area, but it is ironic that both nations share so much in common, except for the one thing, which led to the division of India in the first place. That one thing seems to be at the bottom of so many of the world’s problems.
Well they both have nukes so they better be careful.
1969. Russia/China on the border. Should we have fanned the flames like we didn’t in the Iran/Iraq war?
The old saying never get involved in an Asian land war maybe should apply.
Waking up in the morning is an act of war over there
what on earth could that be ??
Do remember Pakistan was “ born” an Islamic state in 1947. The Brits stole Indian territory and gave it to their Islamic friends, thus was born Pakistan.
India’s nukes dwarf Pakistan’s. The region would be arguably safer from a nuclear exchange if Pakistan were supplemented by an additional 50 or 100 devices and easy delivery means to India. Think about it. It only sounds crazy at first.
It couldn’t possibly be a certain religion, could it?
You got it.
(What’s next?)
Well, both are nuclear powers...
That would be a very nasty fight between two nuclear powers. I don’t think that is a good plan.
Leave it up to the Muslims to make things bad in the world.
Forget it, Pakistan! You can NOT negotiate with India. They’ll just put you on eternal hold and repeatedly make you reboot your computer.
Not a good plan at all.
Pakistan has Chinese weapons as in J-type fighter planes India has a lot of dependence on Russian warplanes.
Who did this terrorist attack in Kashmir in the first place?
“It couldn’t possibly be a certain religion, could it?”
You bet it is. Muslims are murderous idiots. I’ve had a few friends from India, always wanted to go there. J.D.’s wife’s ancestors came from India. Smart, likable people.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.