Pakistan on Tuesday expelled an Indian official from the high commission in Islamabad after India declared a Pakistani official persona non grata over allegations of espionage.
The tit-for-tat expulsions began with India directing a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi to leave the country within 24 hours after accusing him of engaging in activities “not in keeping with his official status.”
While the Ministry of External Affairs did not elaborate on its decision in its brief statement, the move followed the arrest of two people in Indian Punjab on Sunday. According to Indian media, the two are accused of leaking sensitive military information to a Pakistani handler. They said one of the suspects had allegedly provided details of Indian Army movements to an official linked to the Pakistani mission in Delhi.
Subsequently, India summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Pakistan High Commission and issued a formal demarche regarding the expulsion. In retaliation, Pakistan expelled an Indian High Commission official, identified as Shankar Reddy Chintala. In its statement, the Foreign Office said the official was “found involved in espionage in violation of his privileged status.”
It said the Indian diplomat had been declared persona non grata and was instructed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours. It also summoned the Indian chargé d’affaires and handed a demarche expressing Pakistan’s strong protest against “undesirable activities.” The Foreign Office further reminded the Indian mission to ensure its staff adhered to diplomatic norms and did not engage in conduct incompatible with their diplomatic status.
The expulsions are a continuation of deteriorating ties between Pakistan and India. The neighboring countries came to the brink of war last week after India targeted civilian infrastructure in six cities of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It subsequently expanded its military actions with drone attacks on Pakistan’s major cities and missile attacks on airbases. In its retaliation, Pakistan targeted 26 sites in India, with the ISPR maintaining it attacked military installations.