India Says Removal of Structures Outside Pakistan Mission Was 'Proportionate Action'

India has described the dismantling of temporary structures in the lane outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as a "proportionate action" taken in response to a similar move by Pakistani authorities in Islamabad.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that despite India's request, Pakistani authorities went ahead and removed structures placed outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. "Some of the structures in front of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan were removed for the convenience of parking. We requested them not to do this. So after that happened, we took what might be called a proportionate action in response," Jaiswal said.

Sources in Delhi said that on Monday, Pakistani authorities removed barricades and structures, including parking poles, that had been set up outside the Indian High Commission to manage queues of visitors and visa applicants. Two days later, on Wednesday, the Indian side carried out a similar operation outside the Pakistan High Commission in the Chanakyapuri area of the capital.

A JCB machine was used to clear a section of unauthorised structures and barricades along the lane outside the Pakistan mission, including those near the visa section. The operation left debris such as broken metal railings, twisted frames, roofing sheets, and concrete chunks scattered across the paved area.

The development comes amid strained bilateral ties following Operation Sindoor in May last year, which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Both High Commissions have been functioning at the level of Charge d'affaires for the past seven years, with reduced diplomatic staff and visa services largely limited to pilgrims on both sides.