New Delhi: Indian diplomats in Pakistan have been subjected to 'maltreatment and intimidatory tactics' despite protests by New Delhi of violation of provisions under the Vienna Convention and a bilateral accord, Government told the Lok Sabha yesterday (Dec 6, 2006). 

Constant surveillance of officers of the Indian mission in Islamabad continues, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.


"These incidents have been taken up with the Government of Pakistan at various levels and protests lodged. Government of Pakistan has stated that it concurs with the position that there should be no imtimidation of diplomats of either country. However, the surveillance of our officers continues," he said.

Noting that officers and staff members of the Indian mission were subjected to 'constant surveillance' by Pakistani intelligence and security personnel, he said "There has often been close, visible and occasionally even aggressive tailing of officers of the mission and their spouses."

"There have also been other forms of maltreatment and intimidatory tactics," the Minister said in a written reply.

Giving details of some of the recent incidents, Mukherjee said in October this year there was an attempted break-in into the residence of an official, while in August, an official was illegally detained and interrogated.

"In March last year, an official was intercepted and assaulted and in February that year, the residence of an official was broken into," Mukherjee said.

"Such actions are in violation of obligations under the Vienna Convention of 1961 and the bilateral 'Code of Conduct for Treatment of Diplomatic-Consular Personnel in India and Pakistan' signed by the two countries in 1992," he added.