India and Pakistan have accused each other of stalking, harassing and intimidating their diplomats in Islamabad and New Delhi, respectively
While the relations between India and Pakistan hang in the balance, especially after the recent barbs exchanged at the UNHCR, they seemed to have hit a new low with both countries accusing each other of “harassing” their diplomats and their families. India and Pakistan threatened to withdraw their diplomats from Islamabad and New Delhi, respectively, if the so-called “intimidation” did not come to a halt.
The issue was brought to the attention of Foreign Secretary of India Vijay Keshav Gokhale by Pakistan High Commsioner Sohail Mohammed and Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, who had met Pakistan Foreign Secretary on February 16 and made a strong case against multiple acts of hooliganism against Indian personnel and their properties. India’s residential complex was not only illegally raided by Pakistani agencies, but power and water supply were also cut off for over two weeks, according to sources.
"The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has been facing tremendous harassment for long, particularly in the last year," the source said.
Pakistan, on the hand, lodged four harassment charges, known as note verbale, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), alleging incidents of harassment and intimidation of its diplomats. Highlighting one of the recent episodes, Pakistan High Commission said two cars carrying Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner’s children to a school in New Delhi were followed and obstructed on Tuesday. The driver was also, apparently, threatened later. A note verbale is unsigned and prepared in third person, therefore making it less formal in nature.
This comes close on the heels of frequent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.
Here are the top 10 developments of the Indian-Pakistan diplomatic spat so far.
1. ISI raids Indian residential complex, power and water supply cut off: The Indian residential complex in Islamabad, which is currently under construction, was allegedly raided by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that expelled all service providers, and later disconnected power and water supply, according to sources. Further, the Pakistan government delayed providing clearance for the complex, forcing Indian diplomats to compromise on their safety and security, the sources added.
"Despite the Foreign Secretary's assurance, the power supply was not restored for over two weeks. The Pakistan High Commission faces no such disruptions (in India)," sources said, according to news agency PTI. Indian diplomats have often complained about unauthorised entry into their premises.
2. ‘Harassment the new normal’: Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, who had gone to Karachi for a literature festival, said his car was interrupted in the middle of the road to prevent him from attending a lunch hosted by Bohra community. "Harassment is the new normal for Indian High Commission personnel in Islamabad. The High Commissioner's car was recently stopped by Pakistani agencies in the middle of a busy road to prevent him from attending an event," a source said, according to PTI.
This is not the sole incident of Indian diplomats’ car being intercepted. Another diplomat said his car was suddenly interrupted and vigourously searched while he was on his way home, reported The Times of India.
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