The Indian government has blocked access to the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan for users in India, intensifying an ongoing diplomatic standoff following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025.
The attack, which claimed 26 lives, has led India to announce a series of strong retaliatory actions, including the downgrading of diplomatic ties, expulsion of Pakistani military advisors, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and cancellation of visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals.
Indian officials maintain these steps are necessary to address what they describe as Pakistan’s ongoing support for cross-border terrorism. As of now, Pakistan has not issued a formal response to these sweeping measures.
Digital Blockade Amid Diplomatic Crisis
The blocking of the Pakistan government’s X account was confirmed by Indian authorities late on April 23, just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The move is part of a broader package of actions intended to send a strong message to Islamabad. “These are tangible, enforceable steps that send a message—India will not tolerate cross-border terrorism,” stated Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed this sentiment, promising a “befitting reply” to both the attackers and their sponsors. The official @GovtofPakistan X handle now displays a message stating it has been withheld in India “in response to a legal demand.” In addition, both countries will reduce their diplomatic staff in each other’s capitals from 55 to 30 by May 1, and all Pakistani military advisors in India have been ordered to leave within a week.
Retaliatory Measures and Historical Context
The government’s actions come in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, which Indian intelligence agencies have attributed to militants operating from Pakistan. The attack, targeting a civilian bus, has drawn widespread condemnation, with global leaders urging restraint but recognising India’s right to self-defence. In a significant move, India has suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, effectively cancelling all existing visas under this programme.
The Integrated Check Post at Attari, the only operational land border crossing, has also been closed until further notice. Perhaps most notably, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement brokered in 1960 to share river waters between the two countries. This is the first time in over six decades that the treaty has been suspended, signalling the seriousness of the current crisis. While Indian officials have cited national security concerns, Pakistani authorities have yet to issue a public statement, though diplomatic sources indicate that back-channel communications are ongoing.
