Exclusive: Iran removes anti-India banners from Pak consulate in dead of night

Taking a strong stance against Islamabad for using its consulate for anti-India activities, Iranian officials on 15th August forcibly removed banners from Pakistan's consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad. The anti-India banners on so-called "Kashmir Solidarity day" were removed in the middle of the night from the walls of the Pakistani consulate by the local police.

Calling such methods as "undiplomatic tactics", Tehran told Islamabad in clear terms that putting such banners against a third country goes against diplomatic norms. A disappointed Pakistan through a note verbale had raised the matter to Iran which Tehran termed as unfortunate. Officials in Tehran asked Pakistani diplomats how will foreign office in Islamabad react if Iranian mission in Islamabad puts up banners against Saudi Arabia, will Pakistan allow this. Curiously, Pakistan remained adamant and told Iran that the South Asian country's mission was within its right to display the messages. Iran reiterated its stance on Kashmir hasn't changed, said, while Pakistan is a brotherly country, India is not an enemy either.

Meanwhile, anti-India protests organised by Pakistani missions in Iran have been raised in Delhi also, with Iranian Ambassador being handed over a protest note. Before this incident, 2 anti-India protests were organised by Pakistani missions in Iran without any permission. Pakistani missions and diaspora globally have been trying to indulge in the anti-India activity in the aftermath of New Delhi's internal decision to remove the special autonomous status for Jammu and Kashmir.

Last week Pakistani diaspora and Khalistanis had staged a massive protest outside the Indian mission in London and vandalised the property of the mission. This was the second major protest by the Pakistani diaspora in London and was announced by Pakistani Foreign Minister SM Qureshi. Globally protests have happened outside Indian missions in Washington, South Korea, and Germany by Pakistani groups.