Pakistan asks its envoy to return for ‘consultations’

Pakistan asks its envoy to return for ‘consultations’

Context

Alleged maltreatment of Pakistani diplomats in India

What has happened?

Pakistan on Thursday asked its envoy to return for “consultations” amid growing bilateral tensions over alleged harassment of its diplomats in India

Cause of concern

While the consultations are not unusual, the fact that the Pakistan MFA issued a statement on calling him to Islamabad amid growing diplomatic tension, is significant

India’s view

• Indian sources maintained that Pakistan has remained unresponsive to their safety-related concerns regarding security of the Indian diplomats
• Consultations by any resident Ambassador or High Commissioner with their headquarters are matters for that country, so no major comment by Indian authorities in this regard

Facts

• Over 500 Pakistani nationals including officials, staffers and family members are stationed at the High Commission in New Delhi
• The Indian High Commission in Islamabad, however, is a ‘non-family’ posting for diplomats