Indo-Pak ties should not be kept hostage to Kashmir dispute: Abdul Basit
Basit was addressing the media at Hyderabad Press Club on Sunday.
Upholding that the matter should be resolved through dialogue in a ‘just and fair’ manner, Basit said, “I hope we are able to overcome the problem soon.”
Lamenting over India’s cancellation of foreign-secretary level talks following a meeting between Basit and Hurriyat leaders from Kashmir, the high commissioner said, “India-Pakistan relations were very important and also very complex at the same time. Only a collective effort would yield results.”
“As a diplomat, I am trying to strengthen the ties and I hope during my tenure in India things will move ahead,” Basit added.
Basit hoped the India-Pakistan cricket series would be revived next year. Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan visited India and reached an agreement with the BCCI to play six matches up to 2022.
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@Sneha: Good job! BTW; My above comment of "crackpot" got little too funny but was intended for "Timorlane's" 1st comment before you. It got mixed up, I apologize.
@SirPlease!: "what a crackpot" I am just stating you facts from india's perspective. We are 30 odd states and seven Union territories. Our priorities are not k. Because we already have k! Internally for us, It's jk state's (1 out of 30) volatile border,terror issue and the state law and order problem. The job to rectify it is given to elected state Jk govt and army. Whenever your country raises k word domestically or internationally it's only then we respond - internal issues/integral part/do not interfere or remind Simla accord(in case of UN). Have you ever seen india raising it otherwise? What does that indicate? It is not a core issue or survival issue for us. Economy,FDI,trade,education,job creation is. Our goals and ambitions are different.
Strange words from a HC who always wanted to solve Kashmir first. I guess SAARC is beckoning.
@SirPlease!:: Please do not call anyone a crackpot in a public forum. Maintain some decorum and show some decency. People like me who read your comment think of you as SMALL and comments made by Sneha as SUBSTANTIVE, regardless if I agree or disagree with Sneha. Please show some class next time. Thank you.
High Commission Abdul Basti statement "Pakistan and indian relations should be held hostage to the kishmir issue" is a deplorable and unfortunate and does not represent sentiments and feeling of Pakistani nation. Suggest, FO call this gentleman back and send him for further diplomatic training or just sack him.
The ambassador has given a very positive statement, but he has put the ball in the Pakistan's court itself which treats Kashmir as the core issue without which no other issue could be discussed. Pakistan in this regard defied India's legitimate demand to hold talks bilaterally by raising it in UN, resorted to heavy firing on LoC to internationalise Kashmir, complained against India, asked for implementation of UN resolutions for resolving it and rejected talks on the same issue. It so appears that after being cold shouldered both by UN and US as well as India's strong response, Pakistan was left with no other alternative but to climb down from the high horse to issue this statement.
@Sneha: What a crackpot, lol! @Timorlane: Please stay away, that's not the call of the people. @HC Basit; Please let the peace prevail while it is here. Do not bring old issues back on the table. Unless, it's from both sides, Sir; you're just wasting time. Read the enemy's lips and avoid talking of peace or trade.
Double speak. One day they say something (first k), the next day the other (no hostage to k). I think modi is on right track putting the country in ignore category. It's core issue to them. But to us it doesn't even fit in our top twenty priority. Its one state issue law and order problem with negative foriegn exports. We have managed them so far. Time to focus on economy,nuclear,renewable energy and global trade. It's already showing results.
What a statement by Indian High Commissioner or is it a Pakistani High Commissioner !!