India Expels Another Pakistani Official, Orders Departure Within 24 Hours

Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have once again escalated sharply. On Wednesday, the Government of India declared a Pakistani diplomatic official as a “persona non grata” and ordered the individual to leave the country within 24 hours. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the decision was taken on the grounds that the official was engaged in activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status.

An official communication to this effect was conveyed to the Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. The Ministry emphasized that no Pakistani diplomat or official present on Indian soil will be permitted to misuse their status or privileges. It further warned that strict action would be taken in such instances.

In diplomatic terms, “persona non grata” refers to the expulsion of a foreign diplomat or official from the host country. It is one of the most severe forms of expressing dissatisfaction with a foreign representative, often enforced without disclosing the specific reasons behind the expulsion.

Notably, this is the second such expulsion by India within this month. On May 13, a different official working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was also declared “persona non grata” and ordered to leave the country. That decision came just days after a senior Indian military official briefed defence representatives from nearly 70 countries on the successful execution of “Operation Sindoor,” launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.