Pakistan Expels Indian Diplomat in Retaliatory Move
India and Pakistan have entered yet another phase of diplomatic confrontation as both countries expelled each other’s officials in a tit-for-tat move following allegations of espionage.
India first declared a staff member of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata, citing “activities incompatible with diplomatic norms.” The individual was ordered to leave the country within 24 hours. Indian authorities reportedly discovered his alleged involvement in gathering sensitive defense-related information from Indian sources, who were arrested during a police crackdown.
In response, Pakistan summoned the Indian Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and similarly declared an Indian High Commission official as persona non grata. The official was also directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours, a move that mirrored India’s action almost verbatim. Pakistani authorities accused the Indian diplomat of engaging in behavior inconsistent with diplomatic conduct, escalating the already tense bilateral relations.
India Pakistan Tensions
This diplomatic exchange comes on the heels of heightened strain following the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead. India has since adopted a series of aggressive policy measures, including the reduction of Pakistan High Commission staff and stricter surveillance of diplomatic activities.
The recent expulsion of diplomats is seen as a continuation of this assertive posture, reflecting the Indian government’s zero-tolerance stance on espionage activities allegedly orchestrated from across the border.
Diplomatic Expulsion
Such mutual expulsions are not unprecedented. In past years, both countries have removed each other’s diplomats during periods of heightened tension. However, the frequency of such events is on the rise, indicating a deepening crisis in diplomatic engagement.
Espionage Allegations
The core of the current crisis lies in ongoing espionage charges. India claims the expelled Pakistani official was caught red-handed with sensitive information, while Pakistan’s retaliation is widely perceived as a symbolic gesture rather than one based on specific intelligence.
Experts suggest that these expulsions are unlikely to improve the deteriorating diplomatic relationship. Instead, they signal a hardening of positions, with both sides prioritizing national security narratives over diplomatic resolution.
As tensions simmer and trust further erodes, backchannel diplomacy appears to be a distant possibility. The region remains on edge as two nuclear-armed neighbors continue to trade barbs—this time, through their embassies.
