On Pakistan’s Independence Day, Envoy Abdul Basit rakes up Kashmir again

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi Aug 14, 2016 : Hours after Pakistan opened unprovoked firing in Kashmir’s Poonch sector, its High Commissioner in Delhi Abdul Basit made a series of provocative comments about what he called the "independence of Kashmir".

 

In a statement, Mr Basit said, "As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, we dedicate this Independence day to the Independence of Kashmir".

Pakistan is celebrating its Independence Day today.

Two days ago, Mr Basit had invited India for an exclusive dialogue on Kashmir - the move came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir belongs to India. Pakistan, he said, was conducting atrocities in there and in Balochistan.

The foreign ministry, PM Modi said, "should get in touch with expats from PoK living in various parts of the world, gather information from them on the pitiable condition in the region and let the global community know about it."

Regarding Mr Basit’s invitation, India responded saying a discussion on "contemporary and relevant issues", like cross-border terror, were welcome.

Underscoring that addressing terror is "central to our engagement", External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said, "Unlike in the past, we can’t agree that dialogue with sponsors and supporters of terrorism should carry on without being linked to action in that regard".


Pakistan has been making a series of provocative comments since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in Kashmir. Pakistan’s President Nawaz Sharif had eulogized Wani, describing him as a "Kashmiri leader" and expressed "deep shock at the killing of civilians" in Kashmir.

Ms Swaraj had retorted sharply, saying Pakistan’s stated goal of detaching Kashmir from India will "not be realised to the end of eternity".