India on Tuesday expelled a Pakistani official working at the Pakistan high commission for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status. India maintained the official was seen engaged in activities which were not consistent with his diplomatic role.
The external affairs ministry said the official has declared persona non grata and has been given 24 hours to leave India.
The action came amid heightened tension between the two countries following their four-day military confrontation. India also issued a demarche to Pakistani Charge d' Affaires in New Delhi on the activities of the official, expressing strong concern over his conduct.
It may be recalled soon after Pahalgam terror attack, India expelled all the Pakistani military personnel (advisors) from the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi. In many of such swift decisions it was decided that embassy staff be downgraded from the present 55 to 30 by May 1.
In another bold move, India declared the defense, naval, and air advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata. They have one week to depart, Misri stated, adding that India will also withdraw its defense advisors from Islamabad.
Reducing diplomatic staff drastically and instantly marked a significant step back in bilateral diplomatic engagement.
Today's move came minutes after briefing by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in which he indicated India was not happy the way US President Donald Trump declared 'ceasefire' of military action between the two countries. Soon after Tump's declaration on his X account, India chose to replace the word ceasefire with 'Understanding' reached between India and Pakistan. The MEA spokesperson also asserted that J&K is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, rejecting indirectly the 'mediation' offer by Donald Trump.
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