Tensions between India and Pakistan have deepened after Islamabad reportedly blocked essential supplies to Indian diplomats and their families in the High Commission. The move, senior government sources said, is “deliberate and premeditated” and violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The restrictions have disrupted the supply of basic needs, including cooking gas, drinking water, and even newspapers. Diplomats in Islamabad are now facing severe inconvenience in their daily lives. According to officials, the action is seen as a form of retaliation after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the successful Operation Sindoor.
Gas and Water Supplies Cut
CNN-News18 reported that although the High Commission has gas pipelines installed, the supply has been deliberately stopped. Vendors supplying gas cylinders for cooking and heating have been ordered not to sell to Indian staff. This has forced diplomats to turn to expensive and limited market options.
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The water situation is equally concerning. The Commission’s regular supplier of clean mineral water has been barred from delivering. Authorities have allegedly instructed all water sellers in Islamabad not to supply to the Indian High Commission. Since tap water is unsafe to drink without advanced filtration, the move has created a health risk for the staff and their families.
Newspaper Deliveries Stopped
In a further escalation, newspaper vendors have been told to stop delivering print media to the High Commission. Officials view this as an attempt to isolate diplomats from local news and limit their access to diverse viewpoints.
Government sources have stressed that these measures violate the Vienna Convention, which guarantees the smooth functioning of embassies and protects diplomats’ dignity and security. They warn that such actions could worsen already-strained ties between India and Pakistan.
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A senior source told India Today TV that similar harassment occurred in 2019 after India’s surgical strikes following the Pulwama attack. Past instances included disruptions to utilities, harassment in public spaces, and surveillance of diplomatic staff.
Increased Surveillance and Possible Retaliation
Pakistani officials have reportedly increased their surveillance of Indian diplomats, keeping a tight eye on them both at their homes and places of employment, according to the Economic Times. If the situation persists, New Delhi is reportedly considering taking punitive action against Pakistani officials who are based in India.
According to experts, any ongoing diplomatic engagement or backchannel discussion could be derailed by these aggressive actions. There may be obstacles to even modest consular conversations or cross-cultural interactions. The blockage of vital supplies is a clear indication that Islamabad is prepared to increase hostilities on several fronts, as the two countries are already at war over commerce, counterterrorism cooperation, and water sharing.
Diplomatic analysts warn that such actions, if left unchecked, could normalize the targeting of embassy staff, making future conflict resolution even more difficult.
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