Ending envoy harassment
Harassment of envoys and their family members is embarrassing for Indians and Pakistanis
Harassment faced by Pakistani diplomats in Delhi and Indian diplomats in Islamabad should soon be curbed by the agreement between the foreign secretaries and high commissioners of the two countries. Although it is unfortunate that such a discussion had to take place to begin with, the close rivalry between the two countries and the endless conflict in various regards suggested such a discourse would soon need to take place.
The harassment of envoys and their family members is embarrassing for Indians and Pakistanis. Furthermore, there was a direct threat to the family members of diplomats, including their children. Understanding that mob mentality can take over a crowd within seconds in India and Pakistan, it was wise that the conversation took place. The precarious situation required intervention by the Foreign Office and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Diplomats are sent to a foreign country to strengthen relations between two nations but in the case of India and Pakistan, greater resolve was needed. Mature politics was never the way of either country, especially not in either’s recent history. It must be ensured going forward that diplomatic officials are able to carry on with their business under non-threatening circumstances and that likewise their family members can continue living in the foreign country in peace. It is a tragedy that the two nations, which were once one land and one people, have become divided to the point where even their diplomats living low-key lives face harassment. The report of incidents is high, up to 50 cases against Pakistani officials in just a couple of weeks leading up to March 23rd. A reminder and return to the 1992 Code of Conduct should facilitate in improving the situation. However, both countries should actively be ready to take punitive measures against perpetrators, which is only possible through increased vigilance. Until diplomatic concerns such as these are eliminated, the actual work of diplomats will remain a gargantuan task.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2018.
The harassment of envoys and their family members is embarrassing for Indians and Pakistanis. Furthermore, there was a direct threat to the family members of diplomats, including their children. Understanding that mob mentality can take over a crowd within seconds in India and Pakistan, it was wise that the conversation took place. The precarious situation required intervention by the Foreign Office and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Diplomats are sent to a foreign country to strengthen relations between two nations but in the case of India and Pakistan, greater resolve was needed. Mature politics was never the way of either country, especially not in either’s recent history. It must be ensured going forward that diplomatic officials are able to carry on with their business under non-threatening circumstances and that likewise their family members can continue living in the foreign country in peace. It is a tragedy that the two nations, which were once one land and one people, have become divided to the point where even their diplomats living low-key lives face harassment. The report of incidents is high, up to 50 cases against Pakistani officials in just a couple of weeks leading up to March 23rd. A reminder and return to the 1992 Code of Conduct should facilitate in improving the situation. However, both countries should actively be ready to take punitive measures against perpetrators, which is only possible through increased vigilance. Until diplomatic concerns such as these are eliminated, the actual work of diplomats will remain a gargantuan task.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2018.