India’s Bold Move Shocks Pakistan, Indian Officer Given 24 Hours to Leave

India’s Bold Move Shocks Pakistan, Indian Officer Given 24 Hours to Leave

Tit-for-Tat Diplomacy Escalates Tensions
In a stunning turn of events, Pakistan has reacted to India’s recent diplomatic action by expelling a staff member from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, ordering them to leave within 24 hours. This move comes as a direct response to India’s expulsion of a Pakistani official from New Delhi, accused of engaging in espionage activities. The rapid exchange of diplomatic expulsions has heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, already strained by recent military confrontations and a history of mistrust. Both nations have accused the other’s diplomat of actions “incompatible with diplomatic status,” signaling a deepening rift in their fragile bilateral relations.

India’s Initial Strike: Operation Sindoor’s Fallout
The current diplomatic spat traces back to India’s Operation Sindoor, a counterterrorism operation launched on May 7, 2025, targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan. Following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives, India expelled a Pakistani High Commission official for alleged spying. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared the official “persona non grata,” citing activities not aligned with diplomatic norms. This decisive action, coupled with India’s military strikes, sent a clear message of zero tolerance for terrorism, leaving Pakistan scrambling to respond.

Pakistan’s Retaliation: A Diplomatic Counter
Pakistan, visibly rattled by India’s actions, mirrored the move by declaring an Indian diplomat “persona nongrata” on May 13, 2025. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires to deliver a formal protest, demanding the official’s departure within a day. This tit-for-tat diplomacy underscores the ongoing espionage allegations and mutual distrust, exacerbated by a recent four-day military clash. Pakistan’s swift retaliation aims to project strength domestically while signaling to India that it will not back down.

Broader Implications for Indo-Pak Relations
The reciprocal expulsions mark a low point in India-Pakistan relations, already strained by the April 22 Kashmir attack and subsequent military escalations. Both nations have scaled down diplomatic presence, with India reducing Pakistan’s High Commission staff from 55 to 30. The suspension of trade, visa services, and the Indus Waters Treaty further complicates ties. As both countries navigate this volatile phase, the international community watches closely, wary of escalation between these nuclear powers.