Don't think Indian govt objects to us meeting Hurriyat leaders: Abdul Basit

Down playing his meetings with Hurriyat leaders, Basit said, "Don't try to make an issue out of non-issue."

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit claimed on Monday the Indian government does not object to his meetings with Hurriyat leaders.

"I don't think the government of India is objecting to our meeting with Hurriyat leaders," Abdul Basit said, according to the Times of India.

Down playing his meetings with Hurriyat leaders which have earlier been the cause for India cancelling foreign secretary-level talks, Basit said, "Don't try to make an issue out of non-issue."

Read: Brushing aside criticism: Pakistan will continue to interact with Hurriyat

“Pakistan has been serious and sincere about resolving issues with India through peaceful dialogue,” the envoy added.

"The need of the hour is that India and Pakistan engage in a peaceful bilateral dialogue," Basit said. He reiterated the two neighbouring countries and nuclear-armed rivals cannot resolve or settle our problems by use of force.”

Read: Abdul Basit likens India-Pakistan relations to that of saas-bahu: report

"The agenda of the Indian and Pakistani PM is common. This is a golden opportunity," he said, while speaking to reporters on Pakistan Day.

According to reports, Pakistan has also invited recently released Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam to attend national day celebrations. But Masarat did not attend the function.

On Sunday, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq met Basit. The high commissioner reportedly apprised the Hurriyat leader about Indian foreign secretary S Jaishanker recent visit to Pakistan.

Read: Ensuring peace and tranquility along border is vital: Indian foreign secretary

The meeting came weeks after Basit visited Delhi residence of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and updated him about the talks.

Before the meeting, Mirwaiz said, "Both the countries have been holding talks with each other for nearly six decades but no solution has emerged. We in Hurriyat believe that we can become a platform, a bridge where the two countries can build and consolidate peace in the entire region."