Indian authorities have removed the outer security barriers around the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, according to Indian media reports.
The authorities cleared the barricades installed outside the diplomatic mission and also removed security bollards that had restricted traffic movement around the building. They also dismantled the enclosure set up outside the Pakistani visa section, which had been used to manage queues of visa applicants.
Indian authorities have not publicly explained why they removed the additional security arrangements around the Pakistan High Commission.
Indian media linked the development to Pakistan’s recent diplomatic protest over remarks by the US ambassador to India concerning Kashmir. The move came shortly after Islamabad summoned the US chargé d’affaires to the Foreign Office and formally conveyed its strong objection to the ambassador’s comments.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker was summoned on Wednesday over what Islamabad described as “irresponsible and factually incorrect” remarks by the US ambassador to India.
Pakistan told the US diplomat that it strongly rejected the ambassador’s characterization of Indian-administered Kashmir as part of India. Islamabad maintained that such a position disregards the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and contradicts Pakistan’s longstanding position on the issue.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan conveyed its serious concern over the remarks and urged the United States to take a more responsible approach when commenting on the Kashmir dispute.
The removal of the security barriers outside the Pakistani mission has therefore drawn attention amid already strained India-Pakistan relations and the latest diplomatic exchanges involving Islamabad, New Delhi and Washington.
