World · India Bureau
India removes encroachments near Pakistani High Commission in Delhi
Indian authorities have removed unauthorized structures near the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi, escalating a diplomatic row over access restrictions. The action follows Pakistan's removal of security barriers outside India's mission in Islamabad three days earlier.
LSN India ·
Delhi Municipal Corporation teams deployed bulldozers near the Pakistani High Commission on Wednesday to clear encroachments from the surrounding area, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the neighboring countries over diplomatic premises.
The operation came just three days after Pakistani authorities reportedly dismantled protective security barricades that had been installed outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Officials said the structures removed in Delhi included unauthorized constructions on public land adjacent to the Pakistani mission.
Neither India nor Pakistan has issued formal statements regarding the incidents, though both nations have historically been sensitive about security measures and access to their diplomatic installations. The tit-for-tat actions underscore ongoing tensions between the two countries over diplomatic protocol and facility protection.
India's Ministry of External Affairs typically coordinates with municipal authorities on matters affecting diplomatic areas in the national capital. The removal of encroachments falls within regular civic maintenance procedures, though the timing suggests a deliberate response to developments in Islamabad.