On Tuesday, May 13, India told a Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi that he was “persona non grata,” i.e, he was no longer welcome. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said he had been “indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India.” The diplomat was given 24 hours to pack up and go.

Just hours later, Pakistan did the same. They declared an Indian staff member in Islamabad “persona non grata” and ordered him to leave within one day. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said he was “engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status.”

This is after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, where 26 people were killed. India blamed groups based in Pakistan and, on May 7, carried out Operation Sindoor—air strikes on terror camps across the border and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Both sides agreed to a ceasefire after that operation, but the diplomat expulsions kept the tension high.

What is “persona non grata”?

“Persona non grata” is Latin for “an unwelcome person.” In diplomacy, it is one of the strongest warnings a country can give. It means the diplomat must leave right away because the host country no longer accepts them.

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