New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government’s approach towards Pakistan in ensuring better ties has invited sharp criticism from opposition parties in the country but praise from the world leaders. In a major shift in its ‘Pakistan Policy’, the 2-year-old government has now decided to ‘compromise’ on its ‘most controversial’ point on Islamabad holding meetings with Hurriyat leaders.
In a written reply to the Parliament last week, MoS for External Affairs VK Singh described leaders representing All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) just like any other Indian ‘citizen who can meet any leader worldwide’.
“Since the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Union of India and these so-called Kashmiri 'leaders' are Indian citizens, there is no bar on their meetings with representatives of any country in India,” Singh told the Parliament.
He, however, clarified that there could be no role for any third party in the India-Pakistan dialogue process.
“India has consistently maintained that there is no role for a third party in the bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan as per the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. India's displeasure at Pakistan's attempts to interfere in India's internal affairs has been repeatedly conveyed to Pakistan,” Singh said.
Soon after the BJP-led NDA government assumed power at the Centre in May 2014, it had imposed a condition to hold talks with Pakistan. New Delhi had even cancelled the Foreign Secretary-level talks on the argument that the Pakistani High Commissioner had met Hurriyat leaders before the official talks.
Since the Agra summit in 2001, Pakistani has been meeting Hurriyat leaders regularly.
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been inviting separatist leaders every year to attend the 'Pakistan Day' function in the national capital. Recently, full complement of Hurriyat leaders had attended the Pakistan Day celebrations in New Delhi with Abdul Basit holding separate talks with separatist leaders including Asiya Andrabi of Duktaran-e-Millat.
