Pakistan on Thursday recalled its High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, for ‘consultations’ following allegations of harassment of Pakistani diplomats in Delhi.
Foreign Office spokesman Dr. Mohammad Faisal said in a weekly briefing that officials and staff of the High Commission in New Delhi were subjected to different kinds of harassment for the past few days.
'Normal and routine'
Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, said this move is "pretty normal and routine in nature."
He said India too will call its High Commissioner for consultation if the "government feels it necessary."
He also said India is looking into the issues raised by the Pakistani side.
Mr. Kumar added that "our High Commission staffers are also facing issues which have been raised with the Pakistani side."
He said these were "issues that should be taken up through diplomatic channels.
"The MEA refuses to be drawn into every issue. Will not list out our issues. We do not expect them to publish our note verbale. We will stick to the Vienna Convention.
Charges of harassment
Officials from Pakistan's Foreign Office claimed that a Pakistani diplomat's vehicle was stopped and he was harassed in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri neighbourhood.
They also claimed that in another incident, children of the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner were stopped while going to school and their driver was harassed.
Pakistan has officially conveyed the matter to the Indian authorities, they said, adding that it would be very difficult for the High Commission staff to perform their duties in New Delhi in the wake of recent incidents.
