India-Pakistan Ceasefire Holds, but Key Restrictions Remain in Place
While the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has brought a temporary pause in military hostilities, several significant diplomatic and economic restrictions announced by both countries in recent weeks remain unchanged.
The ceasefire, declared on 11 May following a deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam and subsequent airstrikes and border clashes, marked a moment of relief after four tense days. However, despite the calm along the Line of Control and other sensitive zones, normal relations between the two nations are far from restored.
Here are five major measures that are still in effect:
1. Indus Waters Treaty Suspension
India continues to uphold its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a decades-old agreement that governs water sharing from six rivers between the two nations. The treaty, brokered in 1960 by the World Bank, had withstood wars and political upheaval until India halted cooperation in response to the Pahalgam attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commented that “terror and talks cannot go hand in hand,” adding, “water and blood cannot flow together.” The move is seen as a significant diplomatic escalation, given that Pakistan heavily relies on these water sources for irrigation and consumption.
Pakistan has protested the decision, calling it unlawful and warning that unilateral withdrawal from the treaty sets a dangerous precedent. Experts suggest that while India may not be able to drastically alter water flow in the short term due to infrastructure limitations, long-term restrictions during dry seasons could severely affect Pakistan.
2. Visa Suspension and Diplomatic Downgrades
India expelled Pakistani defence officials and announced the withdrawal of its military advisers from Islamabad. In retaliation, Pakistan imposed similar diplomatic downgrades. Both countries have drastically reduced staff at their embassies and high commissions.
Moreover, the issuance of almost all categories of visas has been suspended. Families on both sides of the border have been left stranded or separated, with cross-border travel nearly impossible under the current restrictions.
3. Border Closures
The heavily monitored Attari-Wagah border crossing, the only operational land route between India and Pakistan, remains closed. Initially, citizens were given a few days to return home, but the deadline has since been extended due to humanitarian concerns.
Additionally, India has suspended access to the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor — a vital pilgrimage route for Sikhs to visit one of their holiest sites in Pakistan. The suspension will stay in effect “until further notice,” according to Indian officials.
4. Airspace Restrictions
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian aircraft shortly after the strikes began, and India responded in kind. These airspace closures have affected both military and commercial flights, forcing international carriers to reroute. As a result, flight durations and operational costs have risen significantly.
5. Suspension of Trade
All forms of trade — direct and indirect — between India and Pakistan have come to a halt. While India is relatively unaffected due to its limited imports from Pakistan, the impact on Pakistan’s already fragile economy is more severe. The loss of Indian goods such as pharmaceuticals and raw materials has placed additional strain on Pakistani markets already grappling with inflation and supply shortages.
Despite the current ceasefire holding firm, the broader relationship between India and Pakistan remains strained. Neither side has made moves to reverse the stringent measures taken following the April attack, indicating that peace — for now — may be confined to the battlefield, not the diplomatic or economic arenas.