New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic development, India has announced that Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to the country under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). The decision was disclosed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday night.
Misri confirmed that all previously issued SVES visas to Pakistani citizens are now considered cancelled. He further stated that any Pakistani national currently in India under this scheme must depart within 48 hours.
Escalating the diplomatic measures, India has also declared the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. They have been given one week to leave the country. In a reciprocal move, India will withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The positions on both sides are officially considered annulled.
Additionally, five members of the support staff attached to the respective military advisory offices in both High Commissions will also be withdrawn.
This series of actions marks a sharp downturn in India-Pakistan diplomatic engagement under the SAARC framework.
