Navtej Sarna
Counsellor (Press & Information)
(202) 939-7042

Press Release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on reduction of Indian diplomatic staff in Pakistan

January 05, 2002
New Delhi

121 Indian nationals including officials from the High Commission of India, Islamabad, and their family members returned from Islamabad by a special Indian Airlines flight on 5th January 2002.

The return of the officials of the High Commission of India, Islamabad, follows the decision announced by India on 27th December 2001 to reduce staff strengths in the respective High Commissions in Islamabad and New Delhi by 50%. Lists of officials to be withdrawn were exchanged by both sides within 48 hours of the announcement.

The Government of India has conveyed to Pakistan that its continued
sponsorship of cross border terrorism against us is simply unacceptable. Today, the widespread consensus in the international community is that there can be no justification for terrorism, and that terrorism must be eradicated wherever it exists. We hope that the Government of Pakistan takes vigorous measures against these groups targeting India, till such time as cross border terrorism in our country is completely eliminated. The time for cosmetic half measures or non-measures has passed.