India-Pakistan Row: Structures Removed Outside Both High Commissions

NEW DELHI-India on August 21 said the government had taken “proportionate action” by demolishing unauthorized structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, days after Pakistan removed structures in front of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad despite India’s request not to do so.

Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India responded by removing temporary structures in the lane where the Pakistan High Commission is located.

“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…,” said Jaiswal.

The remarks came after authorities demolished a section of structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, citing their location beyond the mission’s approved boundary, officials said.

The structures and barricades along the lane outside the compound were removed with the help of a JCB machine by the concerned agencies. The action also included the removal of queue-management installations near the visa section.

Authorities also removed traffic bollards and barricades that had surrounded the Pakistan High Commission, effectively dismantling the external security perimeter around the mission, according to reports.

The action was taken three days after Pakistani authorities reportedly removed protective security barricades positioned outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. (IANS)