Security personnel keep vigil outside the Pakistan High Commission following ‘Operation Sindoor’, in New Delhi. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) declared an official at the Pakistan High Commission here as persona non grata. This marks the second such declaration involving a Pakistani diplomat within ten days.
In a statement, the MEA said, “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.”
The Ministry further added, “Charge d’Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today. He was asked to strictly ensure that none of the Pakistani diplomats or officials in India misuse their privileges and status in any manner.”
On May 13, a staff member of the Pakistan High Commission was similarly declared persona non grata by India. Soon after, Pakistani authorities expelled a staff member from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad..
Despite the escalating diplomatic friction following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor on May 7both countries have not severed diplomatic relations. However, the recent tit-for-tat expulsions are expected to reduce the number of officials at the two diplomatic missions.
Published – May 21, 2025 08:23 PM is
