Pakistan and India to halve strength of high commissions

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ISLAMABAD: In a sign of escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, Delhi on Tuesday asked Islamabad to cut the size of its diplomatic staff in India by half within seven days after accusing its High Commission (HC) staff of engaging in espionage.

First time after 2001, India cuts Pakistan High Commission ...

India said it too would halve its diplomatic presence in Islamabad, in view of the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic ties.

The decision on reducing Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint in India was conveyed by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to Pakistani chargé d’affaires in Delhi Haider Shah.

The Indian ministry in a statement said: “Government of India has taken the decision to reduce the staff strength in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by 50pc. It would reciprocally reduce its own presence in Islamabad to the same proportion.”

It further said the reduction of staff is to be implemented in seven days.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office later also summoned the Indian chargé d’ affaires, asking him to reduce the size of Indian High Com­mission staff by 50 per cent in seven days.

Islamabad and Delhi to halve strength of high commissions

“The Indian Chargé d’ Affaires was informed of Pakistan’s decision to reduce the Indian High Commission’s staff strength by 50pc as a reciprocal measure. The Chargé d’ Affaires was asked to implement the decision conveyed to him within seven days,” the FO said.

Pakistan had last August sent back the Indian high commissioner after Delhi illegally annexed Occupied Kashmir and recalled its own envoy from India.

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