New Delhi; November 04, 2016

Question: Pakistan government yesterday made public name of some of the Indian diplomats working there. How is India viewing this development?

MEA Official Spokesperson: Let me first of all say that we completely reject the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations made by Pakistan against certain officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The Government categorically denies those allegations. 

It is especially regrettable that Pakistani authorities have chosen to level those allegations after deciding to recall, on their own, six officials of the Pakistan High Commission some of whom may have been named to Indian authorities by Mehmood Akhtar, the Pakistan High Commission official caught red-handed last week while indulging in anti-India activities.

The allegations against Indian officials represent an afterthought and a crude attempt to target these officials for no fault of theirs.

We also regret the fact that Pakistan’s step adds to the risk to peace and security in the region emanating from Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism against its neighbors, its complete denial of the problem and deflection of its responsibility by resorting to fanciful accusations.

We also note that the Indian officials falsely implicated were working in the field of promoting people-to-people and trade & economic contacts between the two countries.

Pakistan’s false allegations against them has the potential to adversely affect the corresponding activities of the High Commission. The Government also protests strongly the manner in which the names and photos of eight Indian officials - four of them holders of diplomatic passports - have been published. This is against basic norms of diplomatic practice and courtesy.

Moreover, the allegations against the Indian officials are prejudicial to their safety and security. We expect the Government of Pakistan to take all necessary steps to ensure the security and safety not only of these eight diplomats and officials but of all the members of the High Commission and their families while they are in Pakistan.

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