Fresh diplomatic expulsions as India, Pakistan accuse officials of misusing diplomatic status

New Delhi, May 22: In a continuing diplomatic tit-for-tat, Pakistan on Thursday announced the expulsion of a staff member from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, a day after India declared a Pakistani official "persona non grata" and ordered his departure within 24 hours over allegations of espionage.

This marks the second such expulsion in just two weeks. In the first week of May, a similar incident unfolded when both nations expelled diplomatic staff following mutual accusations of activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi confirmed that a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission was found engaging in conduct incompatible with his role and was asked to leave the country immediately. The Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission was summoned and handed a formal demarche, with India conveying its "strong protest" and urging that Pakistani diplomats strictly adhere to the Vienna Convention.

“The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status. He has been asked to leave India within 24 hours,” the MEA said.

Responding on Thursday, according to PTI, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reciprocated by ordering the departure of a staff member from the Indian mission in Islamabad.  The recent diplomatic row comes at a time when both embassies are operating with reduced staff. In recent years, both sides have scaled down the strength of their high commissions amid deteriorating bilateral ties and tensions post Pahalgam killings by terrorists and Operation Sindoor.

The mutual distrust has been exacerbated by accusations of espionage, harassment of diplomats, and a sharp decline in dialogue, highlighting further the deepening strain in India-Pakistan relations.