Iran ‘Forcefully’ Takes Down Anti-India Banners From Pakistani Consulate At Mid-Night, Say Reports

In a blow to Pakistan’s attempts to stage anti-India protests, Iranian authorities on 15 August had removed banners from Pakistani Embassy in the city of Mashhad, reports DNA. Such ways of displaying banners against a third nation were termed as “undiplomatic tactics” by Tehran.

The banners had been put to observe Indian Independence Day as “Kashmir Solidarity Day” by Pakistani officials. However, the local police forcibly took off all the promotional material in the middle of the night.

Reports tell, a note verbale was later written by Pakistani diplomats to Tehran claiming that it was with in the Pakistani Consulate’s rights to display the slogans. The claim was, however, turned down by Tehran questioning Pakistani officials as to how would Pakistan react if Iranian mission in Pakistan put up banners against Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Pakistani missions in Iran had conducted two anti-India protests without any permission. In the wake of New Delhi’s decision to end the special status of its region Jammu and Kashmir in 6 August this year, Pakistani missions and communities in various countries have been trying to divert international attention by protesting against India.