India & Pakistan Mutually Agreed To Resolve Issues Related Diplomats

India & Pakistan MutuallyAgreed To Resolve IssuesRelated Diplomats- Details, Background

India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to resolve issues related to the treatment of each other’s diplomats and diplomatic premises.

As per the statement by Ministry of External Affairs, released on 30th March 2018, India and Pakistan have mutually agreed, in line with the 1992 'Code of Conduct' that they have signed for treatment of Diplomatic or Consular personnel in India and Pakistan.

The 1992‘Code of Conduct’facilitates for "smooth and unhindered functioning" of the diplomatic and consular officials of the two countries in conformity with the international laws without violating their privileges and immunities.

The 1992‘Code of Conduct’also stated that the two countries should not resort to intrusive and aggressive surveillance and actions such as verbal and physical harassment, disconnection of phone lines and et cetera.

Background

India and Pakistan have imposed allegations of harassment of their diplomatic staff at their respective High Commissions in Islamabad and New Delhi respectively.

Pakistan on 15th March 2018, had summoned its High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood to “consult” him on the reports. Later, he returned to Islamabad on 22nd March 2018, claiming one of his diplomats’ vehicles was untreated due to security concerns in New Delhi.

India then claimed that High Commissioner JP Singh’s doorbell was rung at 3 am in Islamabad.

Indian officials also claimed that the bitterness started after the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence raided a residential complex being built for Indian diplomats in Islamabad on 16th February 2018