In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, India is currently evaluating the possibility of closing its airspace to Pakistani airlines. This move would necessitate that Pakistani carriers reroute their flights over either China or Sri Lanka in order to reach popular Southeast Asian destinations such as Kuala Lumpur. Individuals familiar with the situation have reported these developments, indicating the seriousness of the current geopolitical climate.

In addition to restricting air travel, India is also contemplating a ban on Pakistani ships from docking at Indian ports. This decision follows Pakistan's closure of its airspace to Indian airlines after New Delhi implemented a series of stringent measures against its neighbor in response to a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, predominantly tourists.

In the wake of this attack, India has already taken decisive actions, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty a crucial agreement governing water sharing between the two countries and the revocation of visas previously issued to Pakistani citizens. These actions signal an increasingly hostile relationship between the two nations.

The backdrop to these developments includes recent small arms fire reported by India along the border, which has prompted military responses. Indian authorities have alleged that two of the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were from Pakistan, a claim that Islamabad has vehemently denied. As the situation remains volatile, China has interjected, urging both countries to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic resolutions.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier of Pakistan, heavily relies on Indian airspace to service various destinations in Southeast Asia, including not just Kuala Lumpur, but also major cities in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Should India proceed with its airspace closure, it could have serious ramifications for the financial health of PIA, as flights would need to take a much longer route, possibly increasing operational costs and travel times. It is worth noting that in 2020, the European Air Safety Agency had previously banned PIA from operating in Europe due to safety concerns, a ban that was only lifted in late 2024.

The proposed airspace restrictions echo historical precedents; during the 1971 conflict, India similarly closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines, which then rerouted flights over Sri Lankan airspace. As part of a broader security strategy following the recent attack, India's Cabinet Committee on Security convened to deliberate on a range of necessary measures. Immediate actions included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, effective immediately. This suspension will remain in place until Pakistan can provide credible assurances of ceasing its support for cross-border terrorism.

Moreover, the Indian government ordered the immediate closure of the Attari check post, a significant border crossing point. Travelers who had already entered India via this route were instructed to return to Pakistan before May 1, 2025, using the same checkpoint. In a further tightening of diplomatic relations, India has also halted participation in the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), which previously allowed Pakistani nationals to travel to India under certain conditions. All SVES visas that had already been issued to Pakistani citizens were annulled, with those affected given just 48 hours to vacate Indian territory.

Diplomatic tensions have reached a new height, with India declaring defense, naval, and air advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. These officials have been given one week to exit the country. In a reciprocal move, India will also withdraw its own defense, naval, and air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The total number of staff at both high commissions is set to be reduced significantly, from 55 to just 30, with all necessary cuts to be completed by May 1, 2025.