Diplomatic Expulsion Amid Strained Relations

In a statement issued on Tuesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the Pakistani official had been instructed to depart following a demarche to the chargé d’affaires of the Pakistan High Commission.

The MEA stated the expulsion was due to “activities not in keeping with his official status,” though it did not provide further details. Such expulsions are often linked to allegations of espionage or involvement in activities considered hostile to the host country.

The Government of Pakistan had not publicly responded to the development at the time of publication.

Legal Framework and Precedent

The declaration of a diplomat as persona non grata is the most severe form of diplomatic censure a host country can deliver. Under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), a country may expel a diplomat at any time and is not obliged to explain its reasoning.

Once such a declaration is made, the individual loses diplomatic immunity and must leave the host country, typically within a specified time limit.

India and Pakistan have a history of reciprocal expulsions of diplomatic personnel, particularly during periods of increased political or military tension.

Backdrop of Rising Tensions

The latest expulsion comes in the wake of heightened hostilities between the two countries following India’s recent military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April, which left 26 civilians dead.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the offensive targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. He also warned that India would respond forcefully to any military or terrorist aggression.

On 10 May, both countries agreed to a ceasefire after days of cross-border exchanges. However, India has maintained a firm stance that further dialogue with Pakistan is contingent upon a cessation of terrorist activity and the dismantling of terror networks.

India Reiterates Bilateral Approach to Kashmir

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that issues concerning the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir are strictly bilateral matters between India and Pakistan.

“The outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan,” Jaiswal said, reiterating India's consistent position that there is no room for third-party mediation.

This statement followed remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed the US had played a role in brokering the recent ceasefire. India dismissed the assertion, stating that no such request had been made and that international involvement was neither necessary nor welcomed in matters relating to Kashmir.

Persona Non Grata Designation Used Previously

India has previously expelled Pakistani diplomats under similar charges. In 2016 and 2020, multiple Pakistani military and intelligence officials were declared persona non grata amid allegations of espionage.

Experts note that such declarations are not uncommon between adversarial states and often reflect broader geopolitical signals.

Context: Diplomatic Implications and Regional Stability

The decision to expel the Pakistani diplomat further complicates an already fragile bilateral relationship. India’s growing emphasis on counter-terror operations and Pakistan’s persistent denial of supporting cross-border militant groups have limited the scope for constructive engagement.

By invoking the persona non grata provision, India is sending a strong diplomatic message about its threshold for tolerating alleged interference. It also aligns with New Delhi’s current strategy of combining military deterrence with assertive foreign policy responses.

As both nations recalibrate their post-ceasefire positions, the risk of renewed hostilities remains unless confidence-building measures are undertaken. However, with India’s leadership signalling a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and Pakistan yet to acknowledge responsibility, diplomatic normalisation appears distant.

The expulsion of the Pakistani official serves as a reminder that in South Asia’s most volatile relationship, even minor diplomatic provocations can quickly escalate into larger confrontations.