High-level security, cabinet meetings amid Pakistan tensions

New Delhi

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held crucial meetings with the Union Cabinet and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at his official residence. These discussions, lasting from 11 am to around 1 pm, were widely anticipated to address potential retaliatory actions against Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22nd.

The CCS meeting included key ministers such as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, and Principal Secretaries to the PM, PK Mishra and Shaktikanta Das, also participated.

The meeting was expected to review retaliatory actions taken on April 23rd, including the revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. It was also set to discuss the approval of military responses after Prime Minister Modi gave the Armed Forces full operational freedom to determine their response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.

The CCS also received an update on the National Investigation Agency's probe into the attack, which linked former Pakistan Army commander Hashim Musa to the incident and highlighted Pakistan’s involvement. India is also considering declaring Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.

Additionally, the Union Cabinet may have discussed scheduling a special session of Parliament to address the attack's aftermath and potential actions moving forward.

India suspends Indus Waters Treaty in terror response

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22nd, India has strategically suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) to push Pakistan to end its support for terrorism. This legal move, known as lawfare, uses international law to achieve political goals. India’s action is supported by customary international law, specifically the clausula rebus sic stantibus doctrine, allowing treaty suspension due to significant changes in circumstances.