The current string of expulsions of Russian diplomats from many countries is indeed massive and calls for a historic analysis of such actions.
While expulsion of diplomats as a sign of protest is indeed very stressful for them, it is one of the least disruptive ways to express outrage.
What are the laws governing diplomatic expulsions?
Currently, according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations, 1961, diplomats enjoy immunity from law enforcement authorities of the host country.
Hence, if a diplomat commits an offence in a personal or official capacity, the host country declares them as persona-non grata, which mandates their immediate expulsion.
How is expulsion effective?
It is the most effective bloodless punishment, as the person concerned is removed from the scene, never to return.
Additionally, rulers have historically also expelled court diplomats if tensions break out between their host and home countries.
Significantly, the diplomat concerned may not be guilty of omission or commission or even aware of the reason for being expelled.
The diplomat hence becomes a mere pawn (a pledge/security/guaranty) in international disputes.
S/he may even be a victim of a symbolic protest or a reciprocal action.
What is the current case of Russian diplomatic expulsions?
Russia may well be the country whose diplomats have perhaps suffered the largest number of expulsions.
The recent coordinated expulsion of over 100 Russian diplomats by more than 20 countries (US and many EU countries) is huge even by Cold War standards.
This is done by countries to express solidarity with UK.
It is due to the alleged Russian involvement in the attack on a former spy who worked for UK.
Importantly, Russia has denied any involvement in the murderous attack that took place in UK soil.
Russia has accused UK of a baseless and false campaign.
As multiple countries expelled its diplomats, Russia retaliated with a symmetrical response.
Generally, this is the maximum build up and the diplomats will slowly but steadily return to their seats in the host countries over time after negotiations.
Notably, Austria did not join the other EU members in the expulsion, stressing that some communication channels should be kept open during the crisis.
China and India had called for more concrete evidence about Russian complicity, and hence have called for a more patient approach.
How has India handled diplomatic expulsions?
India takes recourse to expulsion of diplomats only in extreme circumstances when it has clear evidence of wrongdoing.
When it expels diplomats, it does expect reciprocal action.
In most cases, it informs its personnel in advance for a possible retaliatory expulsion.
Notably, India has expelled Soviet diplomats to express annoyance on certain issues even when Indo-Soviet friends weren’t particularly bad.
Russian sponsored military coup in Fiji caused a spike in tensions and even the Indian head of mission was expelled (although after 2 year of strain).
How does the future look?
While the diplomats will eventually be called back, the current episode of expulsions clearly marks the emergence of a new Cold War in world affairs.
The rise of an ambitious China and versatile strongmen like Putin in Russia, Salman in Saudi and Erdogen in Turkey are bound to strengthen these trends.
