India Demolishes Structures Outside Pakistan High Commission in Tit-for-Tat Move

The Government of India demolished unauthorized temporary structures, traffic bollards, and security barricades outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on August 20, 2026. Using a JCB machine, authorities removed metal railings and queue-management installations near the visa section, citing that the structures exceeded the mission's approved boundary.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the demolition as a "proportionate action." He stated the move followed the removal of security barricades and parking structures outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad three days prior, noting that Pakistan had ignored Indian requests to stop those activities.

This diplomatic friction coincided with tensions between Pakistan and the United States. US Ambassador Sergio Gor visited Jammu and Kashmir, describing the region as an important part of India and announcing that the US would reconsider its travel advisories for the area. In response, the Government of Pakistan summoned US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker to lodge a formal demarche protesting Gor's remarks and visit.