India has taken action by demolishing unauthorized structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, following Pakistan’s removal of similar structures outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
NEW DELHI — On August 21, the Indian government announced it had undertaken “proportionate action” by demolishing unauthorized structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. This decision came just days after Pakistan removed structures in front of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, despite India’s request for them to remain.
During a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that India responded to Pakistan’s actions by dismantling temporary structures located in the lane adjacent to the Pakistan High Commission.
“In Pakistan, some structures in front of the Indian High Commission, which were meant to facilitate parking, were removed. Despite our request to them not to do so, they went ahead with it. In response, we took what could be described as a proportionate action. There were some temporary structures in the lane where the Pakistani High Commission is located here, and we removed them,” Jaiswal stated.
The demolition of the structures outside the Pakistan High Commission was carried out by authorities who cited their placement beyond the mission’s approved boundary. The operation involved the use of a JCB machine and included the removal of queue-management installations near the visa section.
Additionally, traffic bollards and barricades that had previously surrounded the Pakistan High Commission were dismantled, effectively eliminating the external security perimeter around the mission.
This action by India followed reports that Pakistani authorities had removed protective security barricades positioned outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad just three days earlier.
According to IANS, the ongoing tensions between the two nations have led to these reciprocal actions, reflecting the strained diplomatic relations that persist between India and Pakistan.