New Delhi: Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan flared again this week as both nations expelled high commission staffers on espionage charges, marking the second tit-for-tat action in less than ten days.
On Wednesday, India ordered a Pakistani official from its New Delhi mission to leave the country within 24 hours, citing involvement in espionage. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared the individual “persona non grata,” saying he was engaged in activities that violated diplomatic protocol.
“The official’s conduct was inconsistent with his diplomatic status,” the MEA said, stressing that such behaviour breaches international norms.
In a swift response, Pakistan expelled an Indian diplomat from its high commission in Islamabad the following day. Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in a stern statement, accused the Indian staffer of similar misconduct and also declared him “persona non grata.”
The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned and notified of the decision, with the expelled official asked to leave within 24 hours. The statement further warned Indian diplomats against abusing their diplomatic privileges.
This latest exchange follows an earlier expulsion on May 13, when India removed another Pakistani staffer over alleged spying.
The mutual expulsions are taking place amid increased strain following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people and heightened regional tensions. While such spy-related incidents aren’t new in Indo-Pak relations, the timing has raised concerns about a deeper diplomatic rift.
