Treatment of diplomats: India, Pakistan reach truce, agree to hold talks to resolve all issues

New Delhi/Islamabad: Days after Islamabad recalled its envoy over alleged mistreatment, both India and Pakistan on Friday announced to hold talks to amicably resolve all issues regarding the treatment of their diplomats.

According to PTI, the two countries agreed to resolve all issues regarding treatment of their diplomats in line with 1992 'Code of Conduct' for treatment of Diplomatic/Consular personnel in India and Pakistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also issued a statement to confirm the development. 

"India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to resolve matters related to the treatment of diplomats and diplomatic premises, in line with the 1992 'Code of Conduct' for treatment of Diplomatic/Consular personnel in India and Pakistan," the MEA said in the statement.

The Pakistan Foreign Office also reciprocated by issuing a  similar statement. 

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal, in a brief statement, said that the issue will be addressed under the mechanism of 1992 related to the treatment of diplomats.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Faisal had said that the two sides would address the issue of harassment of diplomats through talks. 

The two sides reached a truce after days of making claims and counter-claims about harassment of each other's diplomats.

The Code provides 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 Code also says that the two countries should not resort to intrusive and aggressive surveillance and actions such as verbal and physical harassment, disconnection of phone lines, etc.

The Government of India had earlier in March asked Pakistan to ensure safety and security of its officials working at the Indian mission in Islamabad.

The government alleged that the Indian officials were being "harassment" and "threatened" in Pakistan.

In its 16th 'Note Verbale' to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry on March 22, the Indian High Commission specifically mentioned three incidents of harassment of senior officials.

Rejecting India's charge, Pakistan claimed that there had been as many as 26 instances of harassment and intimidation of its diplomats since March 7.

Islamabad later recalled its high commissioner Sohail Mahmood for discussions on the issue.

Sohail Mahmood, however, returned to New Delhi on March 22.

However, there is no clarity yet as to how two sides agreed to resolve the current tension over the treatment of diplomats.

(With PTI inputs)