India, Pakistan agree to resolve harassment of diplomats issue

India and Pakistan have agreed to resolve all issues regarding treatment of their diplomats stationed in the other country through talks, the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said on Friday.

“India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to solve matters related to diplomats in line with the 1992 Code of Conduct for the treatment of consular personnel in India and Pakistan,” the MEA said in a statement.

The Pakistan Foreign Office issued a similar statement. Pakistani FO spokesperson Mohammad Faisal in a statement said, “All diplomatic matters will be addressed under the 1992 Code.”

The 1992 Code provides for ‘smooth and unhindered functioning of the diplomatic officials of the two countries.’

Pakistan earlier this month had claimed as many as 26 instances of harassment and intimidation of its diplomats by India since March 7.

India countering the allegations had said that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was facing tremendous harassment. “Indian authorities had to deal with random interception of their cars and unauthorised entry into their premises,” the MEA had said.

Earlier in March 15, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in a press conference had said that the Indian High Commission in Pakistan was facing many issues.

“We have reached out through established diplomatic channels to Islamabad. We want our Commission to work smoothly in Pakistan,” added Kumar.