What is PERSONA NON GRATA And to whom is this title given?

Recently, in Pahalgam, due to the incident that occurred on April 22, 2025, India has summoned a top Pakistani diplomat, Saad Ahmad, to be “Persona Non Grata”. As per NewOnAir, India has suspended many agreements, including the Indus Water Treaty, and restricted the entry of Pakistani nationals. But till now, as per ANI, it has been confirmed that all Pakistani defence military top-order officers have been given the status of “Persona Non Grata”. This term is usually referred to in international terms for making unwelcome the people representing the country.

In a press conference held by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, India, in response to the Pahalgam attack, has taken several measures against Pakistan for promoting cross-border terrorism.#pahalgamattack #KashmirAttack #IndiaPakistan pic.twitter.com/zKUnLsDSRC

— Nitesh Sirvi (@Sirvi_Nit) April 24, 2025

Now, let’s understand this term in detail: what is 'persona non grata'?

What is Persona Non Grata?

Persona Non Grata is the term that means “an unwelcome person”. This term usually refers to diplomatic officials. When a government declares a foreign diplomat or official person to be “Persona Non Grata”, then it is officially stated that the particular person belonging to whatever nation will no longer be welcome in the host country, and as soon as possible, that particular person or official diplomat has to depart from the host country within a specified period.

This decision was taken soon after the incident took place on 22 April 2025 in Phalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This title, “Persona Non Grata”, has been given by the Indian Government to all major Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi.

India not only expelled the Pakistani diplomats; rather, India called back its official diplomats from Islamabad.

To whom is the Persona Non Grata title given? 

If we see in a diplomatic context, in international relations, when a country declares a foreign diplomat as a “Persona Non Grata”, it is essential to expel them as soon as possible within a given specific period. A host country can declare a diplomat to be Persona Non Grata at any time, and the host country is not obligated to answer to any nation on its decisions.

Here are some common reasons why any nation, like India, gives an official diplomat to this persona non grata title:

• Violation of Diplomatic Laws or firms
• Interference in the host country's internal matters
• Incompatible activities with their diplomatic status

Now let’s understand what a persona non grata note

What is a persona non grata note?

A Persona Non Grata Note is an official communication or note sent by a country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a foreign embassy, declaring that a specific diplomat or foreign official is no longer welcome in the host country.

As the host country is not obliged to answer or does not have to explain to any nation why these notes have been issued.

As per the Vienna Convention in 1961, the individual or official diplomats who have been declared as Persona Non Grata have to leave the country 48 hours after receiving the notes.

Recently, to whom has India declared Persona Non Grata?

After the incident took place in Phalgam on 22 April 2025, India declared the Defence /Military, Naval, and Air advisors in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as Persona Non Grata.

India also withdrew its official defence, navy and air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Conclusion

"Persona Non Grata" is a diplomatic declaration by a host nation stating that a foreign diplomatic representative is no longer acceptable to remain within its borders. Essentially, the individual is deemed unwelcome.

The recent action by India, declaring certain Pakistani military diplomats "Persona Non Grata" following the incident in Pahalgam, exemplifies this. It signifies a formal expression of disapproval and a demand for the immediate departure of the individuals concerned. This diplomatic tool is employed when a host nation believes that the conduct or presence of the diplomat may harm the nation's interests or violate established norms of international relations.