In a move that signals rising diplomatic tensions, the Indian government has declared an official of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as “Persona Non Grata”, ordering the diplomat to leave the country within 24 hours.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires was formally summoned and issued a demarche regarding the decision. The ministry stated that the expulsion follows serious allegations involving activities incompatible with diplomatic norms.
The development comes in the wake of claims by Indian media that two individuals were arrested in Punjab for allegedly spying on behalf of Pakistan. Reports suggest that one of the arrested is a woman, and both are accused of passing sensitive information, including Indian military movements, to a Pakistani High Commission official.
One of the suspects reportedly leaked classified data related to troop deployments, raising national security concerns in India.
Such measures by India may further strain diplomatic relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. As of now, Pakistan has not issued an official response to the expulsion or the espionage claims.
