New Delhi: Amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions following India’s “Operation Sindoor,” the Indian government has declared a Pakistani High Commission official “persona non grata” and ordered their expulsion within 24 hours. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the move, citing the official’s engagement in activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status. A formal demarche was issued to the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission, conveying the government’s decision.
Press Release: Pakistani official declared persona non grata
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 13, 2025
The expulsion comes at a critical juncture in the already strained relationship between New Delhi and Islamabad, following India’s military operation targeting terror infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POjK). “Operation Sindoor” was launched as a direct response to the devastating April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, predominantly tourists.
While the MEA refrained from disclosing the specific identity of the expelled official or the precise nature of the alleged misconduct, the timing and context of the action underscore the gravity of the situation. This move is the latest in a series of diplomatic actions taken by India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military operation.
Prior to this expulsion, India had already implemented a series of stringent measures aimed at curtailing Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in New Delhi. On April 23, the Indian government announced a significant reduction in the staff strength of the Pakistan High Commission, limiting it from the previous 55 to 30 personnel. Furthermore, all Pakistani Defence, Naval, and Air advisors were ordered to leave the country within a week. Simultaneously, India recalled its own diplomatic counterparts from Islamabad.
Beyond the reduction in diplomatic staff, India also took the drastic step of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a six-decade-old agreement brokered by the World Bank. This suspension was explicitly linked to Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism, with India demanding credible and irreversible steps to dismantle terror networks operating from its territory.
Adding to the escalating measures, India also closed the integrated Attari-Wagah checkpost, a crucial land crossing between the two nations. This closure effectively halted cross-border movement, with provisions made for those with valid endorsements to return before May 1, 2025.
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