India’s 15 Strategic Actions Against Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack: From Indus Treaty Withdrawal to Operation Sindoor

KKN Gurugram Desk | Following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in which 26 innocent tourists lost their lives, India launched a calculated and powerful diplomatic, economic, and military response. Over a period of just 15 days, India executed 15 major actions against Pakistan—ranging from nullifying the Indus Waters Treaty to launching Operation Sindoor, a surgical strike that targeted and eliminated over 100 terrorists.

These decisive steps have left Pakistan diplomatically isolated, economically strained, and strategically cornered, unable to mount a significant counter-response.

India’s 15 Strong Measures Against Pakistan After the Pahalgam Attack

1. Indus Waters Treaty Terminated

India formally revoked the Indus Waters Treaty, which had been in place since 1960. The treaty had ensured water access to Pakistan for the Indus and its tributaries. This move is expected to create a severe water crisis in Pakistan, affecting over 170 million people. Pakistan is reportedly planning to raise the issue at the United Nations.

2. Suspension of All Bilateral Trade Agreements

India scrapped all existing trade ties and agreements with Pakistan. While Pakistani goods continue to enter India through third-party routes, India has blocked all exports to Pakistan. This unilateral move has inflicted millions in losses on Pakistan’s trade-dependent sectors.

3. Water From Chenab River Blocked

India has also halted water flow from the Chenab River, causing significant disruption in Pakistan’s agriculture. Many canals and tributaries have run dry, prompting Pakistani media to call it a “water attack.”

4. Global Diplomatic Isolation of Pakistan

After the Pahalgam attack, India launched an aggressive diplomatic campaign to isolate Pakistan globally. As a result, no major power has voiced full support for Pakistan. Even China has been non-committal in its stance.

5. Ban on Imports From Pakistan

India imposed a blanket ban on imports from Pakistan, affecting several key sectors:

• Fruits (melons, watermelons)

• Cement

• Rock salt

• Dry fruits

• Cotton

• Optical equipment
  This has further strained Pakistan’s fragile economy.

6. Postal Services With Pakistan Suspended

In a historic move, India banned postal exchanges with Pakistan. This is the first time that postal communications between the two countries have been officially suspended.

7. Ban on Pakistani Ships Entering Indian Ports

India has denied access to Pakistani vessels, especially those transporting goods to Bangladesh through Indian waters. This restriction has disrupted regional maritime logistics for Pakistan.

8. Expulsion of Pakistani Military Advisors

All Pakistani military liaisons and advisors posted in India have been expelled. This step has led to a further deterioration in bilateral military relations.

9. Flooding in Muzaffarabad After Jhelum River Diversion

India strategically diverted the Jhelum River, leading to flood-like conditions in Muzaffarabad (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). Thousands of residents have been displaced due to the influx of diverted waters.

10. Diplomatic Defeat at the United Nations

At the UN Security Council meeting on May 5, India succeeded in isolating Pakistan diplomatically. Most countries refused to back Pakistan, while several members openly questioned its role in harboring terrorism.

11. Lack of Support From Islamic Nations

In a significant geopolitical shift, no major Islamic country supported Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. India’s Prime Minister was in Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack, and the Kingdom strongly condemned terrorism, further straining Islamabad’s relations with Muslim-majority nations.

12. International Outreach by India in New Delhi

India hosted foreign envoys in New Delhi and presented evidence of Pakistan’s role in the Pahalgam attack. This outreach further helped in internationalizing Pakistan’s terror links, leading to global media scrutiny and diplomatic pressure.

13. Psychological Warfare and Market Impact

India’s sustained pressure led to panic in Pakistani financial markets. The Karachi Stock Exchange witnessed continuous declines, severely impacting investor confidence and foreign reserves.

14. Closure of Salal and Baglihar Dams

India closed water flow from the Salal and Baglihar Dams, which previously supplied water to Pakistan for drinking and electricity generation. The move escalated the energy crisis in Pakistan.

15. Launch of Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Surgical Strike

India launched Operation Sindoor, a midnight surgical airstrike targeting nine high-value terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. Over 100 terrorists were eliminated, including operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The strikes were precise, controlled, and did not target civilian or military facilities, yet delivered a strategic blow to Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.

Why These Measures Matter

• Integrated Response: India used a combination of military, diplomatic, and economic tools to retaliate.

• Water as Leverage: India signaled its willingness to use water-sharing treaties as geo-strategic leverage.

• Diplomatic Masterstroke: By isolating Pakistan at the UN and among Islamic nations, India exposed Islamabad’s terror credentials on a global scale.

• Psychological Pressure: Extended tension impacted Pakistan’s markets, defense posture, and public sentiment.

• Clear Message: India’s actions sent a powerful message: Terrorism will invite consequences.

Global Reactions

While India’s actions have been seen as bold but measured, Pakistan’s repeated claims of Indian “aggression” have found little traction internationally. With key global powers choosing neutral or pro-India stances, Pakistan remains cornered diplomatically.

Even traditional allies like China and Turkey have issued generic statements urging “restraint,” without explicitly supporting Islamabad.

India’s 15-point strategy after the Pahalgam terror attack represents one of its most comprehensive counter-terror responses in recent history. From nullifying long-standing treaties to executing precision military strikes, New Delhi has demonstrated both restraint and resolve.

Pakistan, weakened economically and diplomatically, now finds itself in a strategic chokehold—unable to retaliate without risking broader conflict. As tensions remain high, India’s actions have not only avenged the Pahalgam attack but also redefined the rules of engagement with its hostile neighbor.