Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Describing Kashmiris as stakeholders in the Kashmir issue, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Wednesday dismissed as a "non-issue" his invitation to Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Pakistan Day celebrations in New Delhi.
"We have been inviting our Indian and Kashmiri friends to the Pakistan Day (March 23) reception for long and this is nothing new or unprecedented. I don't find anything wrong about it, it has been going on for decades now," Basit said here at an MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised event.
Basit, who recently held talks with Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Geelani, has invited Mirwaiz Umar Farooq along with other senior Hurriyat leaders.
Enraged over a similar meeting between the Pakistani envoy and the Kashmiri separatists, India had called off the scheduled foreign secretary-level talks in August 2014, saying Pakistan could either talk to India or the separatists.
Asserting that he came to know about India's reservation over the issue only last August, Basit said the invitation should not be perceived as a "provocation".
"Our position has been explained to our Indian friends and our Indian interlocutors. I would urge that this invitation should not be perceived as a provocation. From our point of view, Kashmiris are stakeholders on the issue," said Basit.
"Only in August (last), we came to know that the Indian government doesn't want us to talk to the separatists. But our stand on that matter is different. We want to approach with a positive attitude towards resolving the issues (with India) and don't intend to do anything that may jeopardize that," said Basit.
"Let's not make an issue out of a non-issue. Let's focus on substantive issue and focus on resolving issues."
"If we continue to get entangled in trivial matters like this, it would be difficult to resolve the issues that exist between India and Pakistan," he added.
Weather News: Orange alert for rain in Delhi for two days from today, temperature will fall... Read the full alert from the Meteorological Department.
The humid heat in the capital troubled people throughout the day. People looked miserable due to the humidity. However, there was some relief due to strong winds blowing in between. According to the
Weather Update Today: Weather changed in Delhi-NCR, drizzle with strong winds, know the condition of other states
This time in February, the heat has created a new record. The month of February has been the warmest in 146 years. However, as soon as the beginning of March, the weather changed in many states. The
Farmers organizations did not know the route of PM: Farmers were going to the district headquarters, not to block the highway; Punjab Police stopped on Modi's route
The reason for the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab was the Punjab Police itself, not the farmers. The farmers were going to protest at the district headquarters.
Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over Sanjay Singh's remarks against PM, Deputy Chairman orders removal from record.
During the discussion on the Constitution, there was a lot of uproar in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday over the comments of AAP MP Sanjay Singh against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, when the
Amit Shah stayed only 17 minutes in Deoband: 10 minutes door-to-door campaigned and left for Saharanpur, the first home minister after 1952 who reached here
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Deoband during his visit to West UP on Saturday. Shah is the first Home Minister after 1952, who reached Deoband but left here after staying here for just 17
Woman injured by Ayush Badoni's SIX: Lucknow batsman hit such a shot on Shivam Dubey's ball, the ball hit the fan's head
A very exciting match was played between Lucknow and Chennai on Thursday. Chennai gave a target of 211 to Lucknow, which was achieved by Lucknow in the 20th over. During Lucknow's innings, a
India's export-import in February: The country's merchandise exports grew by 22.36% in February, the trade deficit was $ 21.19 billion
India's merchandise exports grew 22.36% to $33.81 billion in February. A year ago i.e. in February 2021, it was $ 27.63 billion. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released these figures on
Exclusive: Is it possible to legislate on MSP? Will farmers' income double by 2022? Know what SC committee member Anil Ghanwat said
Anil Ghanwat Exclusive Interview: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait is adamant about continuing the agitation. They say that until the government accepts other demands including MSP, the movement will not
Tiger 3: After seeing Salman's new look in 'Tiger 3', fans are desperate, demanding Katrina's look.
Bollywood's Bhaijaan i.e. Salman Khan is continuously in the headlines for his upcoming film 'Tiger 3'. Salman Khan has been in the news among fans ever since the teaser of his much-awaited film
Lockdown in China: Lockdown again in China, the spread of Covid-19 amid preparations for National Congress conference
COVID lockdown in China: The new wave of coronavirus (Covid-19 cases in China) has once again worried the Communist regime in China. The highest number of corona cases have been reported in China in
