India expels Pakistan embassy officials for alleged espionage
India expelled two officials working at the Pakistan High Commision in New Delhi after they were held for espionage, the foreign ministry said. "Two officials were apprehended by Indian law enforcement," the ministry stated adding that the government declared them "persona non grata" for indulging in activities incompatible with their status as members of a diplomatic mission.
- World
- AP
- Published Date: 08:37 | 31 May 2020
- Modified Date: 01:43 | 01 June 2020
India on Sunday said it caught two Pakistan High Commission officials in the Indian capital spying and ordered them to leave the country within 24 hours.
An Indian External Affairs Ministry statement said a strong protest was lodged with the Pakistan High Commission regarding the activities of its two officials which it said were against India's national security.
It didn't say whether the two were holding diplomatic status or were junior officers working in the Pakistani mission.
India and Pakistan routinely expel each other's diplomats on spying charges.
There was no immediate Pakistani reaction, but Islamabad is expected to respond by expelling Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad in a tit for tat action.
India-Pakistan ties deteriorated sharply after India downgraded the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir from statehood to a federally administered territory in August last year and limited its decision-making power.
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over control of Kashmir since they won independence from British colonialists in 1947. Both control parts of the region and claim it in entirety.
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