India Suspends SAARC Visa Exemption for Pakistani Nationals

• Apr 24, 2025

In a significant diplomatic move, India has suspended the SAARC visa exemption scheme for Pakistani nationals, intensifying the ongoing strain in bilateral relations between the two countries. The decision was quietly made public through an update in official documentation, and it marks a decisive turn in how India now intends to handle cross-border movements under the regional visa framework.

🔍 What is the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme?

The SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Visa Exemption Scheme was introduced in 1992 to facilitate easier travel among citizens of SAARC member countries, which include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The idea was to promote people-to-people contact, business, academic exchange, and regional cooperation.

Under this scheme, eligible categories of travelers—such as government officials, business leaders, journalists, and sportspersons—were issued a special SAARC Visa Exemption Sticker, allowing them to travel across member nations without needing a visa for up to 90 days.

🇮🇳 Why Has India Suspended It for Pakistan?

While India has not officially detailed the reason, escalating geopolitical tensions, national security concerns, and Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism are widely believed to be the motivating factors. The move effectively nullifies visa-free travel privileges for Pakistani nationals, even those who had previously qualified under the exemption categories.

Diplomatic experts view the decision as a message to Pakistan to take tangible steps toward combating terrorism and fostering trust before any regional cooperation mechanisms can resume meaningfully.

🌐 Broader Implications

This suspension adds another layer to the already frozen India-Pakistan diplomatic ties, which have been on a downward trajectory, especially since the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the subsequent abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. While SAARC as a regional bloc has already seen dwindling activity, this move could further weaken regional integration efforts in South Asia.

It also sends a clear diplomatic signal that while India remains committed to regional partnerships, security will always take precedence over symbolic gestures of cooperation.

India has suspended the SAARC visa exemption scheme for Pakistani nationals, ending visa-free access under the regional agreement. The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, launched in 1992, was designed to promote regional unity and cooperation by enabling certain categories of travelers to cross borders within member countries without a visa. This included government officials, journalists, business leaders, and athletes. However, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, fueled by ongoing security concerns, have led to India revoking this privilege for Pakistani citizens. The move is being seen as a direct response to national security issues and a diplomatic signal to Islamabad amid deteriorating ties.