Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated once again, with multiple reports of harassment targeting Pakistani diplomats in the Indian capital.
Sources say officials and their families are facing surveillance, service disruptions, and even forced evictions.
Continuous surveillance and service disruptions
According to diplomatic sources, Pakistani diplomats and their residences in New Delhi have been under constant surveillance for months. Beyond monitoring movements, essential utilities like gas and internet services are reportedly being cut off periodically.
The situation has intensified since April, with deliveries of water, milk, gas, and food to the High Commission staff blocked on several occasions. Newspapers intended for the Pakistani High Commission have also been withheld.
Eviction orders issued before lease expiry
In a move described as a violation of diplomatic protocol, Indian authorities have allegedly ordered several Pakistani diplomats to vacate their residences before the expiry of their contracts. So far, four to five officials have received eviction notices, sources confirm.
These orders come alongside other “high-handed tactics,” adding to the strain on bilateral relations.
Impact on families and children
The harassment has extended to the diplomats’ families, with sources revealing that the school admissions of diplomats’ children in New Delhi have been cancelled without explanation.
According to sources, Pakistan has formally raised the issue with the Indian government. According to diplomatic sources, there have been continuous delays in issuing visas for Pakistani diplomats and their families, with 17 visa applications facing delays of four to five months.
Pakistan maintains that all these actions constitute a serious violation of the Vienna Convention.
