India expels second Pakistani diplomat amid ongoing tensions
ISLAMABAD: India has expelled a second Pakistani diplomat within ten days, declaring him persona non grata for activities 'not in keeping with his official status,' the external affairs ministry in New Delhi announced on Wednesday.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries following a military standoff earlier this month. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached on May 10, diplomatic relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors remain strained.
'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 in India,' the Indian ministry said in its statement.
'The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours,' it added.
This is the second such expulsion in recent weeks. On May 13, India expelled a Pakistani diplomat on similar grounds. In response, Pakistan declared an Indian High Commission staffer in Islamabad persona non grata.
The Indian ministry also summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission to issue a demarche, emphasizing that Pakistani diplomats must not 'misuse their privileges and status in any manner.'
As of now, Pakistan's foreign office has not responded to the latest development.
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