NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have agreed to resolve through talks all issues regarding treatment of their diplomats stationed in the other country, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.

"India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to resolve matters related to the treatment of diplomats and diplomatic premises, in line with the 1992 "Code of Conduct for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan," an MEA press release read.

Pakistan Foreign Office (FO), too, issued a similar statement. FO spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said the matter will be addressed under the Code, which provides for "smooth and unhindered functioning" of the diplomatic and consular officials of the two countries.

Pakistan has previously claimed that there had been as many as 26 instances of harassment and intimidation of its diplomats since March 7, following which Islamabad called back its high commissioner Sohail Mahmood for discussions on the issue. He returned to New Delhi on March 22.

Countering these allegations, New Delhi said the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was facing "tremendous harassment". On several occassions, Indian diplomats had to deal with unauthorised entry into their premises and also random interception of their cars. India's residential complex in Islamabad was raided by Pakistani agencies who disconnected power and water supply.

"Indian High Commission in Pakistan is facing many issues. We've reached out through established diplomatic channels to Islamabad. We want that our Commission in Islamabad functions smoothly, the officials are not harassed, their work is not obstructed and that the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations, 1961 is abided by," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said at a press briefing on March 15.

The litany of complaints raised by Indian diplomats included aggressive surveillance, violation of physical space and tailing of officers in close and dangerous proximity, Kumar added.

At the same time, the MEA said it had taken note of the concerns aired by Pakistani envoys and would rely on established diplomatic channels to resolve the matter.

On March 22, India had also issued a Note Verbale to Pakistan's foreign ministry listing three incidents of harassment of senior officials, along with a firm reminder that ensuring the safety and security of the Indian High Commission, its officers, staff members and their families is the responsibility of the Pakistan government.

A few days later, Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif had said the two neighbouring nations are in talks to handle the alleged incidents of harassment.

