India’s move comes days after Pakistan removed security barriers outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad
India has dismantled the external security perimeter outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, removing traffic bollards, barricades and other structures placed around the diplomatic mission. The action comes three days after Pakistani authorities reportedly removed similar protective barriers outside India’s High Commission in Islamabad.
Authorities also cleared structures and queue-management installations near the Pakistan mission’s visa section. A JCB was used to remove installations that officials said were outside the approved boundary of the diplomatic compound.
The move assumes significance against the backdrop of an escalating diplomatic exchange between New Delhi and Islamabad. Pakistan had objected strongly to remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Srinagar on Wednesday.
Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as “an important part of India” and praised the security improvements made by the Centre and the Union Territory administration. He also indicated that Washington could review its travel advisory for the region.
Pakistan responded by summoning US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad and lodging a formal protest over the envoy’s remarks. Islamabad argued that Gor’s comments were factually incorrect and objected to the US position on Jammu and Kashmir.
The dismantling of the security installations outside the Pakistan High Commission has not been officially linked by New Delhi to the US envoy’s comments. However, its timing has placed the action within the wider diplomatic friction between India and Pakistan.
The latest step follows a series of reciprocal measures between the two countries, with even the physical arrangements surrounding their diplomatic missions now becoming part of the ongoing tussle.
For now, the action in New Delhi sends a clear signal that Islamabad’s removal of security barriers around the Indian mission will have a corresponding response in the capital.
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