Pakistan high commissioner meets Hurriyat leader in Delhi

Meeting follows controversial release of separatist; In 2014, similar meeting led India to cancel talks with Pakistan

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Monday met Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in a redux of last year's event that led to the cancellation of secretary-level talks between the two countries.  

Basit visited Geelani at his residence in Delhi following the release of a separatist, Masarat Alam, NDTV reported. The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, took place just days after the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan after a visit of Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Pakistan.

Alam was arrested and jailed for leading protests, which involved stone-throwing in Kashmir in 2010.

Read: Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam released from jail in Indian Kashmir

The 44-year-old separatist was released on Saturday on orders of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed – of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which very recently formed a government in Jammu and Kashmir with opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Alam's release was unacceptable, adding that the decision was made without the consent of the Centre.

“I also lend my voice to the outrage on the release of the separatist... this is not one party's outrage, it is the nation's outrage,” Modi said.

He further promised that there would be “no compromise on the integrity of the nation.”

Read: Basit to make 'courtesy call' to Indian foreign secretary in bid to revive talks

Further, according to the Times of India, Modi had also said there had been no consultation by the J&K government with the Centre.

“Whatever action is being taken in J&K is being taken without consulting coalition partner or with central government,” he said.

Additionally, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said a report had been sought by the Centre based on the release of Alam.

Interestingly, Modi also added that the Centre was to take blame as well, since it is, after all, in coalition.

Read: Rare alliance: BJP ministers take place in Indian Kashmir coalition

The Indian premier also told the opposition party, “Do not teach us patriotism.”

“We have asked for a clarification on the Masrat Alam issue, when it comes we will inform you,” Modi said.