Officials said that this decision, which was to be implemented in seven days, was conveyed to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry on the Pakistani charge. It is reminiscent of 2002 when India took a similar step in its mission in Islamabad and reduced the staff strength and instructed Pakistan to reduce its strength here.
“This is a welcome move. The Pak Mission in Delhi is full of ISI operatives. By reducing the strength of the workforce, at least some of the operatives will have to return to Pakistan.
Tilak Devashir, a member of the National Security Advisory Board and author of several books in Pakistan, has taken this step at an important time, told ET.
Devashir, referring to the downgrading of relations in 2002, said, “The context was different. That was after a terrorist incident. This is a more well-thought-out move and therefore will probably last longer.”
In-charge of Pakistan called the Ministry of External Affairs and said that India has repeatedly expressed concern about the activities of its High Commission officials.
“They are engaged in espionage and maintain dealings with terrorist organizations. According to a ministry statement, the activities of the two officers were caught red-handed on May 31, 2020 and expelled.
Although his officials indulged in actions that do not suit his privileged position in the High Commission, Pakistan has been relentlessly engaged in a relentless campaign to prevent Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad from carrying out their legitimate diplomatic functions. , Officials alleged.
“The kidnapping and serious behavior of two Indian officers at gunpoint shows the direction in which Pakistan has gone. These officials, who returned to India on 22 June 2020, have provided a graphic account of the barbaric behavior at the hands of Pakistani agencies, “the Foreign Ministry has reported.
The MEA alleged that the behavior of Pakistan and its officials was not in conformity with the Vienna Convention and bilateral agreements with diplomatic and consular officials. On the contrary, it is an intrinsic element of a larger policy of supporting cross-border violence and terrorism.
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