India, Pakistan expel diplomats over counter-allegations

Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a new high following the mutual expulsion of senior diplomats amid fresh espionage allegations. Both countries have accused each other of engaging in covert intelligence operations under the guise of diplomatic missions, further straining their already fragile relationship.

The controversy began when India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that a senior official stationed at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi had been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave the country within 24 hours. According to Indian authorities, the diplomat was allegedly involved in “activities inconsistent with diplomatic norms,” including attempts to obtain classified military information through local intermediaries in the border state of Punjab.

Shortly after the announcement, the Indian police confirmed the arrest of two individuals suspected of acting as conduits for the information, allegedly working under the direction of the expelled Pakistani diplomat.

Within hours, Pakistan’s Foreign Office responded with a mirror move, expelling an Indian diplomat stationed in Islamabad. The Indian official, identified as First Secretary Rajiv Menon, was accused of “violating diplomatic protocols and engaging in activities detrimental to national security.” Pakistan claimed it had evidence linking Menon to a network collecting sensitive data on Pakistan’s military infrastructure.

The Pakistani government summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner to lodge a formal protest and delivered a démarche (official diplomatic complaint), demanding that Indian diplomats respect international norms and avoid actions that undermine bilateral relations.

The tit-for-tat expulsions come just days after a short but intense exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC), despite a ceasefire agreement technically remaining in place since early 2021. Both sides have blamed each other for violating the truce, and this diplomatic fallout may further destabilize the already volatile border regions.

With both sides hardening their rhetoric, diplomatic backchannels are reportedly still open but fragile. Analysts warn that without a cooling-off period and confidence-building measures, the region could be headed toward another diplomatic freeze.