Diplomacy

Don’t leave the compound unless there is a compelling reason, India tells diplomats in Pakistan

New Delhi: As both India and Pakistan trade accusations of harassment of diplomats, Indian diplomats and their families in Pakistan have been told that they should not leave the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad, unless they don’t have a very important reason, reported the Indian Express.  

They have also been told to use vehicles with diplomatic numbers, not their private vehicles.

India on Thursday asked Pakistan to ensure “safety and security” of Indian diplomats and their families living in Islamabad. The two sides have been trading charges of harassment and intimidation of diplomats.

After alleging that its diplomats and their families were “harassed and intimidated” in New Delhi, Pakistan on Thursday called back it’s High Commissioner to India for a meeting.

Islamabad in a statement statement said that envoy Sohail Mahmood has been called for “consultations” after “no positive action had been taken by India”.

However, India has downplayed the development.

“Consultation is routine process between the embassy and the foreign office, it is nothing unusual.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said, “Our High Commissioner in New Delhi has been asked to come to Islamabad for consultations.” He alleged that this “deliberate continuing bullying” was not confined to a single isolated event and “continues unabated despite repeated official protests lodged with the Indian High Commission here, and also with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs at the highest (level).”

Noting that Indian High commission in Islamabad is facing a “litany of issues”, Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that “we have taken them up through established mechanism”

“We want Pakistan to resolve the issues being faced by our staff and ensure their safety,” he said.

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