Bureau, April 24, 2025 – The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued a stringent travel advisory, strongly cautioning Indian nationals against traveling to Pakistan and urging those currently in the country to return immediately. The advisory follows a series of aggressive diplomatic measures taken by India against Pakistan in response to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 27 people on April 22 and has been blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
The travel warning comes after a high-level meeting of India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which approved a range of punitive actions against Pakistan, including the suspension of the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of Pakistani military advisors from New Delhi. “Under no circumstances should Indian citizens travel to Pakistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated, citing the “prevailing security situation and recent developments.” Indian nationals currently in Pakistan have been directed to return to India at the earliest opportunity and to remain in contact with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad for assistance.
The advisory coincides with India’s decision to cancel all visas issued to Pakistani citizens, giving them a 72-hour deadline to leave the country. Pakistani nationals with valid visas must depart by April 27, 2025, after which their visas will be void. Those holding medical visas, often used for treatment in Indian hospitals, have until April 29 to exit. The government has issued strict instructions for Pakistani citizens in India to leave within the stipulated timeframe, warning of enforcement actions for non-compliance. This move affects hundreds of Pakistanis, many of whom are in India for medical care, family visits, or religious purposes.
The Pahalgam attack, attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF)—a group Indian authorities link to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—has prompted the Modi government to adopt an “action mode” to pressure Pakistan into addressing cross-border terrorism. India’s measures also include closing the Attari-Wagah border, banning Pakistani nationals from entering under the SAARC visa exemption scheme, and capping the number of Pakistani diplomatic staff in New Delhi. In retaliation, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, sealed the Wagah border, and suspended all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, while warning that any diversion of water from the Indus River system will be treated as an “act of war.”
The escalating tensions have raised fears of a broader conflict between the two nations, both of which have increased military deployments along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan has also placed its air force on high alert and canceled leaves for army personnel, signaling readiness for potential confrontation. Amid this volatile situation, the Indian government’s travel advisory reflects growing concerns for the safety of its citizens in Pakistan, where anti-India sentiment is on the rise, as evidenced by protests in cities like Lahore and Karachi.
The international community has called for de-escalation, with the United Nations and the World Bank urging dialogue to resolve the crisis over the Indus Waters Treaty. Posts on X reveal a mix of support and apprehension among Indian citizens, with some praising the government’s tough stance, while others express worry over the safety of family members in Pakistan. As the diplomatic standoff intensifies, the advisory underscores the deepening rift between India and Pakistan, with significant implications for citizens on both sides of the border.
