Artilcle by Darshana Jamindar
Consequent to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s decision to meet separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah from Kashmir in Delhi. India has called off the Foreign Secretary level meeting scheduled between the two countries on August 25 in Islamabad.
On August 19, Pakistan High Commission had invited Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for consultations owing to which secretarial level meeting was cancelled.
In an official communication Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh has informed Pakistan High Commissioner that her talks with Pakistan counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on August 25 in Islamabad remain cancelled.
Syed Akbaruddin, Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, said, “When serious talks at bilateral level, inviting Hurriyat leaders raises questions about Pakistan’s sincerity.” He further added “Pakistan High Commissioner’s meeting with so called Hurriyat leaders dimishs the constructive diplomatic arrangements made by PM Modi” .
Pakistan envoys have in the past too talked to separatists from Kashmir before any major diplomatic initiative with India.
