New charge d’ Affaires to India takes charge

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan’s new head of diplomatic mission in India formally took charge in New Delhi on Monday amid little prospects of any breakthrough in the bilateral relationship.

"Today, Saad Ahmad Warraich assumed responsibilities as Charge d' Affaires at the Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi. He has replaced Aizaz Khan, who has completed his tenure", the Pakistan High Commission posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Warraich served as the Pakistani envoy at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. He was working as director general of Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran at the Foreign Office. Notably, Asad Gilani has now been assigned the new responsibility of DG Afghanistan.

Pakistan downgraded the diplomatic ties with India after New Delhi unilaterally revoked the special status of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region in August 2019. Since then the two countries have not restored their diplomatic relationship.

The last Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad was Ajay Bisaria, who was expelled as a result of Pakistan’s decision. Last year, India appointed Geetika Srivastava as the first woman Charge d' Affaires at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Observers believe that the latest scenario diminished the chances of any rapprochement between the two neighbours.