India Suspends SAARC Visa Exemption for Pakistan: Following a terror attack in Pahalgam, India has barred Pakistani nationals from traveling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).
Visa Cancellations and Expulsion Order: Existing SVES visas issued to Pakistanis are cancelled, and any Pakistani national in India under the scheme has 48 hours to leave.
Diplomatic Action: Defence, Navy, and Air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission are declared persona non grata (PNG) and have a week to leave. India will withdraw its advisors from Islamabad, annulling these posts and withdrawing support staff.
Reason for Action: The suspension and diplomatic actions are a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES): Launched in 1992, the SVES provides visa-free travel within SAARC countries for 24 categories of dignitaries, including judges, parliamentarians, senior officials, businessmen, journalists, and sportspersons. Visa stickers, typically valid for one year, are issued by member states.
SAARC Overview: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985, comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Its secretariat is in Kathmandu, Nepal.
SVES Purpose: To facilitate travel for eligible individuals within SAARC countries, removing the need for visas and easing entry procedures. It helps save from hassles like police reporting and extra forms.
Other co operations in SAARC countries: internship programme to engage people in academia on affairs on South Asian countirs and SAARC countries also have other cooperation in poverty alleviation, tourism and agricultural sector.
