Foreign Office summons Indian top diplomat in Islamabad

Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires Geetika Srivastava on Thursday to formally convey Islamabad’s protest and inform New Delhi of a series of retaliatory measures amid worsening bilateral relations.

According to diplomatic sources, the Indian envoy was handed a written démarche outlining Pakistan’s decisions in response to recent hostile Indian actions, including the alleged false flag operation in Pahalgam and the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

During the meeting, the Foreign Office informed Srivastava that Pakistan has decided to downgrade diplomatic ties with India. As part of this decision, Pakistan is limiting the staff of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to 30 members. 

Moreover, it told the diplomat that the defence, naval, and air attachés, along with related personnel from the Indian High Commission, were declared persona non grata and instructed to leave Pakistan. 

 “The decisions were officially communicated to the Indian side in writing,” said diplomatic sources, adding that Pakistan is exercising its sovereign right to respond to India’s provocative and unilateral actions through established diplomatic channels. 

India summons Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi

Earlier, India summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed him a formal persona non grata notice for its military diplomats, reported Indian media on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which lasted over two hours. The Ministry of External Affairs briefed the media on the measures announced following the deadly attack in Pahalgam.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "The defence/military, naval and air advisers in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own defence/navy/air advisers from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad," he added.

"These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the service advisers will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he further said.

During the CCS meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, representatives from the four key ministries outlined a comprehensive five-step strategy:

·      The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 stands suspended with immediate effect until Pakistan takes responsibility for cross-border terrorism.

·      The Wagah-Attari border will be closed till May 1, 2025.

·      SAARC visas for Pakistani nationals stand cancelled, barring their entry from India. Any Pakistani nationals in India on SAARC visa holders have 48 hours to leave the country.

·      All Pakistani defence, military, naval and air advisors in New Delhi have a week to leave, as they have been declared persona non grata. India will also be withdrawing its air defence, military and naval officials from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

·         The diplomatic missions on both sides – India and Pakistan – will be reduced to 30 from the current 55.

On Thursday also, Indian media reported that the government has blocked the Pakistani government’s X account in the country.