SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme Suspended For Pakistani Nationals: What It Means
In a major diplomatic and security move, the Government of India has officially suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that claimed 26 lives. The Centre issued a directive giving all Pakistani citizens under this visa scheme just 48 hours to exit the country. The decision comes in the wake of an intensifying crackdown on terror networks and a broader reassessment of India-Pakistan ties amid repeated cross-border security breaches.
The attack at Baisaran meadow, a scenic tourist spot in Pahalgam, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit closely linked with the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response, India has not only revoked the SVES for Pakistanis but also initiated a series of sharp diplomatic and operational steps, sending a clear signal of zero tolerance for terrorism.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), emphasized that the decision aligns with the global norm of non-compromise on terrorism. The rapid policy shift marks the first time that the SAARC visa exemption privilege has been entirely revoked for a member nation, a move that could reshape regional dynamics within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was instituted in 1992 to foster regional cooperation and promote smoother people-to-people interaction among SAARC nations, which include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. Originating from discussions at the 1988 SAARC Summit in Islamabad, the scheme was designed to enable certain high-profile categories of individuals to travel visa-free across the region. These categories included government dignitaries, parliamentarians, senior officials, judges, journalists, businesspersons, sportspersons, and cultural figures.
Under this scheme, select individuals were issued special visa stickers, valid for one year, allowing them hassle-free access to other SAARC countries. The SVES encompassed 24 such categories and was seen as an essential diplomatic tool for promoting trust and economic collaboration within South Asia. Each SAARC country’s immigration authorities were tasked with enforcing and updating eligibility lists.
For Pakistani nationals, the SVES offered a diplomatic channel to enter India during times when formal relations were strained. Journalists, bureaucrats, cultural ambassadors, and business delegates from Pakistan have often relied on this scheme to sustain dialogue and cooperation with their Indian counterparts. However, the privilege was also subject to periodic reviews, particularly during times of heightened tension. What makes the current situation unprecedented is the complete suspension of the scheme for Pakistan with immediate effect.
India's decision signals a dramatic escalation in diplomatic posture following the Pahalgam terror strike. The government has not stopped at suspending the visa scheme. In a string of retaliatory measures, it has also halted the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty—a longstanding water-sharing agreement between the two nations. The suspension of this treaty marks another serious step with wide-reaching implications for regional resource diplomacy.
Further, India has shut the Attari-Wagah border for routine transit and ordered all Pakistani nationals with valid documents to leave India via that route by May 1. Additionally, Pakistani defence advisors have been declared ‘persona non grata’, and the diplomatic staff in both countries' High Commissions is being downsized from 55 to 30 personnel each.
These steps, according to Indian officials, are aimed at sending a firm message to Pakistan over its alleged harboring of terror proxies and to reassert India's security priorities in the face of mounting domestic and international concerns. The decision also reflects growing frustration in India over what it sees as Pakistan’s continued inaction against terror groups operating from its soil.
This policy overhaul may also have far-reaching consequences for SAARC as a regional bloc. The spirit of SAARC has often been challenged by the volatile relationship between India and Pakistan. The current suspension of visa privileges could undermine the region’s goals of integration and cooperation, especially as SAARC already faces institutional stagnation with summits being indefinitely postponed due to bilateral tensions.
From a security standpoint, India’s move is being seen as both symbolic and strategic. It not only seeks to isolate Pakistan diplomatically but also aims to prevent further misuse of regional privileges by non-state actors or state-sponsored operatives. As the region grapples with complex geopolitical shifts and internal security challenges, this development adds a fresh layer of tension and urgency to ongoing dialogues on counterterrorism and peace-building.
In conclusion, the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals is a historic and hard-hitting response by India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. While it underscores New Delhi’s unwavering commitment to national security and zero tolerance for terrorism, it also raises questions about the future of regional cooperation in South Asia. Whether this leads to a recalibration of relations or further deepens the divide remains to be seen—but for now, the message from India is loud and clear.