KD NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, May 22: In a fresh escalation of diplomatic tensions, India and Pakistan have expelled each other’s high commission staffers over allegations of espionage, marking the second such reciprocal action in a week.
On Wednesday, India expelled a Pakistani official from its high commission in New Delhi, accusing him of involvement in espionage-related activities. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the staffer was declared “persona non grata” and asked to leave the country within 24 hours.
“The concerned individual was found engaging in activities incompatible with his official status,” the MEA said in a statement, adding that such actions violate diplomatic norms.
Just a day later, Pakistan retaliated by expelling an Indian staff member posted at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. In a strongly worded statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the Indian diplomat was also declared “persona non grata” for actions “inconsistent with his privileged status.” The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and formally informed of the decision.
“The official has been instructed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours,” the statement added, while cautioning Indian diplomatic personnel against misuse of their diplomatic status.
This exchange comes on the heels of a similar expulsion on May 13, when India ousted another Pakistani official for allegedly indulging in espionage.
The diplomatic tit-for-tat unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the recent Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives and sent shockwaves across the region. Though both nations have long had a history of spy-related expulsions, the timing of these actions has fueled speculation about deeper strain in bilateral ties.
Analysts say these expulsions indicate a breakdown in backchannel diplomacy and reflect hardening positions on both sides. There has been no formal comment from either country on whether dialogue channels remain open.
