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Mint
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan declares Indian diplomat ‘persona non grata', asks to leave country within 24 hours
After India declared a Pakistani official in New Delhi 'persona non grata', Pakistan also declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad 'persona non grata', citing involvement in activities incompatible with their official status. Pakistan also asked the Indian staff to leave the country within 24 hours. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post on X, wrote, '… The government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.' 'The Indian Charge d'Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today for demarche, conveying the decision,' the post added. The decision comes after the Government of India on Tuesday declared a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi 'persona non grata' for engaging in activities incompatible with his diplomatic status. The official was also asked to leave the country within 24 hours. An official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs stated, "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 official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours. Charge d' Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today.' The development comes a few days after India and Pakistan engaged in a military conflict following New Delhi's Operation Sindoor to eliminate terrorists and terror infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor was conducted in retaliation for the killings of 26 persons in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. On May 10, India and Pakistan agreed to halt all fire. Earlier on April 23, after the Pahalgam terror attack, India had summoned Pakistan's top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, to Delhi and handed over a formal 'persona non grata' note for Pakistan's military diplomats. Persona non grata is a Latin term meaning 'unwelcome person.' In everyday use, it refers to someone who is no longer accepted or welcome within a specific group, setting, or country. In international diplomacy, declaring someone persona non grata is a formal way for a country to expel a foreign official, typically for actions deemed inappropriate or hostile to the host nation's interests. Last time, India declared the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. Pakistan had also retaliated by declaring India's top military attaches in Islamabad as 'persona non grata'.
India Gazette
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Pakistan declares Indian staff in High Commission as persona non grata in diplomatic row
Islamabad [Pakistan], May 14 (ANI): Following India's decision to declare a Pakistani citizen at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi 'persona non grata,' Pakistan also declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad 'persona non grata,' citing involvement in activities incompatible with their official status. The Indian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Pakistan conveyed its decision, directing the concerned official to depart the country within 24 hours. Sharing a post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote, 'A Staff Member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, Declared as Persona Non Grata. The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.' 'The Indian Charge d'Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today for a demarche, conveying this decision,' the post added. Notably, India on Tuesday declared a Pakistani citizen, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, as 'persona non grata' for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The said person was working as a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and has been asked to leave India within 24 hours. An official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs stated, '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 official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours. Charge d' Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today.' Earlier in April, India summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over the formal Persona Non Grata note for its military diplomats. India's action came after 26 people were killed and several others sustained injuries in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said that after these measures, the total number will bring the overall strength of the High Commissions down to 30 from the present 55. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 tourists were killed. In addition to eliminating over 100 terrorists, the strikes targeted 11 Air bases inside Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities. The air, land and sea operations were carried out with calibrated restraint, with an emphasis on minimising civilian casualties. (ANI)
The Print
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
India summons top Pakistan diplomat in Delhi, hands over Persona Non Grata note for military diplomats
The attack in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district turned a place once known for its tranquillity into a site of mourning. India's action comes after 26 people were killed and several others sustained injuries in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. New Delhi: India has summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over the formal Persona Non Grata note for its military diplomats, according to sources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which lasted over two hours. The meeting was attended, among others, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Ministry of External Affairs briefed mediapersons on Wednesday about the slew of measures announced in the wake of the terrorist attack which took place in Pahalgam. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that recognising the seriousness of the terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures, which included five key decisions. Misri said, 'The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.' He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Misri said, 'Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025.' Other measures decided upon by the CCS include the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty 'with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism'. Misri also said that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. 'Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India,' Misri said. The Foreign Secretary said that further reductions, to be effected by May 1, 2025, will bring the overall strength of the High Commissions down to 30 from the present 55. Misri told mediapersons that the CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. He said, 'It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account.' (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Mint
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Amid Pahalgam row, Pakistan to carry out missile test off its Karachi coast; Indian agencies keep close eye: Report
Pahalgam terrorist attack: Amid the attack that claimed 26 lives on Tuesday, and with India responding with stern actions, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and closure of the Attari check post, Pakistan will carry out a missile test off the Karachi coast on April 24–25, which Indian agencies are closely monitoring. News agency ANI, citing defence sources, reported that Pakistan has issued a notification for a surface-to-surface missile test off its Karachi coast, within its Exclusive Economic Zone, scheduled for April 24–25. Indian agencies concerned are closely monitoring all developments. couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the report. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated 5 punitive actions taken by India yesterday, on April 23, Wednesday: The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. 2. The Integrated Check Post Attari will be shut down immediately. Those who have crossed over with official and valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025. 3. Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India, the statement said yesterday. 4. The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will pull out its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be pulled out from both High Commissions. 5. The overall strength of the high commissions will be reduced to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be in effect by May 1, 2025. India has also summoned Pakistan's top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, in Delhi and handed over a formal persona non grata note for its military diplomats, ANI reported, citing sources. Pakistan is conducting a high-powered security huddle to prepare an appropriate response to India's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned the National Security Committee meeting to discuss India's 'irresponsible actions' after what Pakistan called the Pahalgam false flag operation.
The Independent
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
India lashes out at Pakistan over Kashmir attack as fears grow of military escalation
In the aftermath of the deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir that killed at least 26 people, India on Wednesday expelled Pakistani diplomats and suspended the landmark 1960s Indus Water Treaty until the neighbouring nation 'credibly and irrevocably' ended 'support for cross-border terrorism'. In a sweeping diplomatic offensive against Pakistan after the attack at the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, New Delhi summoned Islamabad's top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed him a Persona Non Grata notice, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said. It also ordered all defence advisors at Pakistan 's embassy to leave within a week and moved to withdraw its own military staff from Islamabad. 'These posts in the respective high commissions are deemed annulled,' Mr Misri added. 'Five support staff of the service advisors will also be withdrawn from both high commissions.' Both missions will scale down their staff strength from 55 to 30 by 1 May 2025. The move came after a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi formulated a slew of punitive measures against the neighbouring country. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of enabling the armed separatist movement in Kashmir, a restive Himalayan region claimed in whole but held in part by the rival countries. Pakistan has denied any role in the Pahalgam attack. Its top security body is meeting on Thursday to assess India's 'sharp response' and 'formulate a comprehensive policy reaction to the slew of aggressive measures announced by New Delhi ', Dawn reported. It is the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, however, that analysts say will have the most profound consequences of all the measures announced by India. The treaty gives India unrestricted right to use the waters of the eastern rivers – Sutlej, Beas and Ravi – and entitles Pakistan to the western rivers of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. The Integrated Check Post at Attari has been closed. The border crossing, one of the last active conduits between the two countries, has played a key role in facilitating limited trade, religious pilgrimages and diplomatic interaction over the years. In a further blow to bilateral relations, all Pakistani citizens have been prohibited from entering India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Previously issued SVES visas have been cancelled and those already in India must leave within 48 hours, the foreign secretary said. Addressing the media, Mr Misri said the Cabinet Committee on Security had assessed the overall security environment and instructed all forces to remain on high alert. Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh promised a 'strong response' to the attack as the risk grew of military escalation in the subcontinent. 'Those responsible and behind such an act will very soon hear our response, loud and clear,' he said. 'We won't just reach those people who carried out the attack. We will also reach out to those who planned this from behind the scenes on our land.' The government would take 'every step that may be necessary and appropriate', Mr Singh added. Military analysts do not discount the possibility of action similar to the cross-border strikes on Pakistan in 2016 and 2019. After a militant attack in Kashmir's Uri in September 2016 killed 19 Indian soldiers, the military conducted what it termed 'surgical strikes' across the Line of Control, the de facto border with Pakistan, targeting suspected militant launch pads. In 2019, the Indian air force launched airstrikes on a suspected militant camp in Balakot, the first deep strike in Pakistan since the 1971 war, after over 40 paramilitary troops were killed by a suicide bomber in Kashmir's Pulwama. Pakistan retaliated with air raids of its own. 'We are likely to see a strong response – one that signals resolve to both domestic audiences and actors in Pakistan. Since 2016, and especially after 2019, the threshold for retaliation has been set at cross-border or air strikes,' military historian Srinath Raghavan told the BBC. 'It will be hard for the government to act below that now. Pakistan will likely respond as it did before. The risk, as always, is miscalculation – on both sides.' Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar called India's slew of punitive measures 'immature' and 'hasty'. 'India has not given any evidence. They have not shown any maturity in their response,' Mr Dar told a TV channel. 'This is a non-serious approach. They started creating hype immediately after the incident.' Pakistani analysts caution that any confrontation could escalate beyond the 2019 standoff. 'Indian escalation already began last night and it will be at a bigger scale than February 2019,' security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali told The New York Times. He argued that India was exploiting the attack to gain support from the US, ease tensions over US president Donald Trump's tariff threat, and recast the push for Kashmir's independence as a terrorist movement. Former Pakistani diplomat Asif Durrani described the Kashmir attack as 'unfortunate and condemnable', while adding: 'but the Indian reaction against Pakistan is a sheer provocation leading to a suicidal course.' Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's former ambassador to the US and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, cautioned that 'jingoism is not strategy'. 'Playing screaming warrior on TV is easy but war is always difficult. India & Pakistan have both seen this tragic movie before. Time to try and change the ending,' he said on X. Indian TV channels have framed the wider situation in the wake of the Pahalgam attack as a Hindu versus Muslim issue, fuelling polarisation and hatred towards the minority community, and especially Kashmiri Muslims. Several right-wing Hindu groups have started issuing threats and hostile rhetoric towards Kashmiri Muslims and there have been reports of violence as well. In a viral video shared on social media, Kashmiri students in Dera Bassi in the northern city of Chandigarh recounted a brutal midnight attack with sharp weapons inside their hostel, alleging that the campus security didn't intervene and the Punjab police failed to respond.
