Agencies/New Delhi
Pakistan’s top envoy to India yesterday defended his decision to meet Kashmiri separatists, a move that prompted an angry New Delhi to cancel high-level talks between the neighbours.
High Commissioner Abdul Basit said he met Kashmiri separatist leaders as part of efforts to resolve tensions between the two countries, including over Kashmir.
Delhi’s decision to call off talks between foreign secretaries which had been scheduled next week in Islamabad was a blow to hopes of warmer ties between the new Indian government and Islamabad.
“We believe Kashmiris are a stakeholder in this (diplomatic) process,” Basit told reporters in New Delhi, saying meetings with the leaders were a “longstanding” practice.
Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin later hit back on Twitter, saying there were only two stakeholders in the Kashmir issue, “India & Pakistan. None else.”
Akbaruddin on Monday said Pakistan’s decision to meet the leaders was an interference in Indian domestic affairs.
Basit also told reporters yesterday Pakistan was confident of “overcoming this setback” on the cancelled talks.
“We will not allow the process (of stronger ties) to be distracted in any way,” Basit said, adding, “You will find Pakistan seriously committed to the process.”
“Jammu and Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, and should be solved bilaterally through peaceful solutions,” Basit said.
“Though it is a setback, diplomacy is the art of the possible, so we will look for ways and means to take the process forward,” Basit said.
“Dialogue is not a favour by Pakistan to India or vice versa. Both countries need to work together,” he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise move to invite his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in May spurred hopes that peace talks between the two countries could resume.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit addresses a press conference in New Delhi yesterday.
