India’s Diplomatic Cr-isi-s In Pakistan

Indo-Pak diplomatic relations are more inclined to the idiom tit for tat, it seems. In recent, Pakistan abducted two Indian High Commission’s staff member. However, after the intervention of Indian authorities, both members were released. It is believed that Pakistan did it in the response of the expulsion of two Pakistani diplomats last fortnight from India on charges of espionage.

Crux of the Matter

Sudden Abduction Indian nationals, Mr.Paul Selvadhas, and Mr.Dwimu Brahma were suddenly abducted by Pakistani police. Both of them were recruited as drivers at Indian High Commission based in Pakistan. Mr. Brahma has been working with Indian High Commission since 2018 and Mr. Paul joined it soon after Mr. Brahma joined. On Monday morning, both of them went out of the Indian High Commission office and failed to return back. Indian authorities began search operations. Soon Indian authorities found that the Pakistani security agencies have a role in the missing of its two employees. Later, Indian authorities came to know that both of their employees were detained by Pakistani police under the charges of hit-and-run and circulating the fake currency in the country. The Indian sources having direct contact with the matter confirmed that both of them were physically abused as there were visible marks on their bodies.

High Commission To The Rescue As soon as Indian High Commission came to know about the involvement of Pakistani security agencies in the arrest of its employees and taking possession of at least one Indian diplomat vehicle as well, India immediately lodged a strong protest. In addition to the protest, Indian authorities summoned Pakistan Charge d’Affaires Syed Haider Shah and demanded the release of the drivers. Further, India notified Pakistan to treat its diplomats as per the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and made it clear that no Indian official should be interrogated and harassed. After the intervention of Indian authorities, Pakistan police releases both the diplomats.

High Tension Diplomacy Frequent harassment of Indian diplomats has become a serious issue in Pakistan. It is believed that Pakistan abducted Indian High Commission staff in response to the expulsion of two Pakistani diplomats for India on charges of espionage. In 2016, India apprehended and deported Mehmood Akhtar, a Pakistani official for running a spy network in India.

Curiopedia

1. Rameshwar Nath Kao was an Indian spymaster and the first chief of India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) from its founding in 1969 to 1977. Kao was one of India’s foremost intelligence officers, and helped build RAW.

2. The Pakistani intelligence community comprises the various intelligence agencies of Pakistan that work internally and externally to manage, research, and collect intelligence necessary for national security. Its known intelligence services are the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

3. The ISI was the brainchild of the former British Indian Army Major General Sir Robert Cawthome, then Deputy Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Army, and selected Colonel Shahid Hamid to set up the agency. The ISI was structured to be operated by officers from the three main military services and to specialize in the collection, analysis, and assessment of external military and non-military intelligence.

Curated Coverage

1. Hindu – Two Indian High Commission staff abducted, released by Pakistan

2. Times now – India summons Pakistan envoy after two Indian High Commission officials abducted by ISI in Islamabad

3. Scroll.in – India summons Pakistan High Commission charge d’affaires over abduction of two of its officials

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