India Declares Pakistani Official Persona Non Grata, Orders Departure

Pakistani Official Declared Persona Non Grata

On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been declared persona non grata due to actions inconsistent with his diplomatic status in India. The official is required to exit the country within 24 hours, as communicated to the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission.

It is important to note that the individual in question is a staff member, not a diplomatic officer.

MEA's Response to Pakistan's Foreign Office Statement

The MEA also addressed a recent statement from the Pakistan Foreign Office, reiterating that Pakistan's extensive history of fostering terrorism makes it accountable for the repercussions of its actions.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the MEA, remarked during a weekly press briefing that Pakistan's attempts to evade the consequences of its actions are in vain, given its longstanding support for terrorism.

Destruction of Terrorist Infrastructure

Jaiswal pointed out that the terrorist infrastructure dismantled by India has been responsible for numerous fatalities, not just among Indians but also among innocent individuals globally. He stated, "A nation that has nurtured terrorism on an industrial scale cannot expect to escape the consequences of its actions. The terrorist sites destroyed by India have led to the deaths of many innocents worldwide. Pakistan must adapt to this new reality as soon as possible."

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Comments on Recent Tensions

This development follows remarks from Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, who, in his first interview since the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, claimed that Islamabad had no choice but to respond in self-defense after India's cross-border attacks on May 7.

Dar characterized India's military actions as a 'war' and a 'wishful attempt to assert dominance,' asserting that Pakistan's conventional military capabilities are robust enough to counter any threats from India. Jaiswal reiterated that a new normal exists in the fight against terrorism, which Pakistan must recognize and adjust to.