Relations between India and Pakistan sharply escalated after an armed attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir on 22 April, for which a little-known armed group claimed responsibility.
The attack, described by Indian authorities as a terrorist attack, killed 26 people, 25 of whom were Indian nationals.
Kashmir is the subject of a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
Official New Delhi, while not directly blaming Islamabad for the attack, said the group that carried it out had links to Pakistan.
Indian authorities after the attack ordered some visa holders from Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. In addition, India closed its only border crossing with Pakistan and announced the cancellation of an agreement on the use of the Indus River’s water resources, an agreement made in 1960 that remained in force even though India and Pakistan have since fought wars with each other.
Pakistani authorities on April 24 also decided to cancel visas for some Indian nationals. Pakistan also closed its airspace to Indian airlines’ aircraft and announced suspension of all trade with India. In addition, a number of Indian diplomats will be expelled.
Recent events have raised fears of further escalation between the two nuclear powers.
Kashmir has been effectively divided between India and Pakistan (and partly China) since those countries gained independence from Britain in 1947. Two of the three wars between the two neighbouring nuclear powers occurred over the issue of control of the disputed territory.
Extremist groups have been active in the region for many years.
