India Expels Pakistani Diplomat Over Spy Charges
India has expelled a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi after accusing him of being involved in espionage activities. The government declared the official “persona non grata” and ordered him to leave the country within 24 hours. According to officials, the individual was found engaging in actions incompatible with diplomatic duties and a formal demarche was issued to Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires.
“The High Commission official was caught red-handed while receiving sensitive documents pertaining to national security from Indian sources,” a government official said. “He was using fake identities and forged documents to run a spy network.” The arrested Indian nationals who were allegedly part of this network are now in police custody and under interrogation.
Indian authorities recovered documents, forged Aadhaar cards, defense-related maps, and mobile phones used for information transmission during the arrest. The official was reportedly working for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and had recruited a network of informants across several states.
India Pakistan Relations
Following the expulsion, Pakistan retaliated by declaring an Indian official “persona non grata” and ordering them to leave within the same 24-hour window. Islamabad claimed the Indian diplomat was involved in activities not consistent with diplomatic norms, mirroring India’s allegations.
Tensions between the two countries have been especially high since the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, most of them Hindu tourists. The Indian government has since taken a series of steps including suspending talks, closing major border checkpoints, and reducing the presence of Pakistani staff in India.
Diplomatic Expulsion
Such diplomatic expulsions, while not unprecedented, have become more frequent in recent years as intelligence-related operations have intensified. India had previously expelled over 20 Pakistani diplomatic staff in 2020 on similar charges.
Espionage Charges
The latest episode is a stark reminder of the fragile nature of India-Pakistan diplomatic ties. While official engagements continue to be sparse, the shadow war through covert networks and surveillance activities appears to be escalating. Analysts warn that these developments could severely hamper any future peace initiatives.
As both nations remain on high alert, the prospects for improved relations appear bleak in the short term. The issue is further complicated by regional developments and heightened security concerns that have led to greater scrutiny of diplomatic missions.
