Pakistan has issued an order to one of the Indian High Commission staffers at Islamabad as persona non grata for engaging in activities that violate diplomatic norms, according to a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They have been asked to depart within 24 hours according to an Economic Times/Geo News/India Today poll of opinion, which reported the news today (+13).
Pakistani officials held a meeting with Indian Charge d’Affaires at the Foreign Office to deliver formal notification, during which time Pakistani representatives reiterated that all diplomats and staff at the Indian High Commission must strictly abide by their diplomatic roles without misusing any privileges that are due them. China Daily Asia +10 Geo News
+4 Hindustan Times
Geo News.
India took this move after expulsion of a Pakistani official from its High Commission in New Delhi the day prior. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, this diplomat engaged in activities not within his official role and was given 24 hours to depart India. Arab News +11; Times of India 11; Hindustan Times 12; India Today 18 and www.ndtvcom for more details on this situation
These expulsions mark a second such incident within a week, underscoring rising diplomatic tensions between these neighboring countries. On May 13, both nations expelled one staffer each from their High Commissions on suspicion of engaging in activities contrary to diplomatic status, according to Wikipedia, The Times of India, @EconomicTimes, The Statesman and Hindustan Times respectively.
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The diplomatic tension stems from an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, in which 26 civilians, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepalese national were killed. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for this act of violence, prompting India to take several retaliatory steps including suspension of Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties – something Wikipedia +3 The Guardian + Reuters reported as well.
As a response, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats, suspended visas for Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft. Cross-border skirmishes and military operations escalated further before international mediation eventually led to an impasse on May 10, with only a fragile ceasefire eventually agreed upon on this day (Geo News +2WLWiki +The Guardian).
Though India and Pakistan have declared an informal ceasefire, mutual distrust remains entrenched and each nation engages in diplomatic action that seeks to outbid one another. Expulsions reveal both countries’ fragile state of relations as well as difficulties related to regional stability.
International observers have voiced serious concern over escalating tensions, calling upon both nations to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. The UN and other global entities continue to monitor this situation closely and stress diplomatic engagement over confrontation.
As South Asia is still reeling from recent events, international observers remain hopeful that both India and Pakistan will prioritise diplomacy over confrontation, with de-escalation measures taken as necessary to promote peace and stability across South Asia.