Indian extremists don’t want improved ties with Pakistan: Basit

Envoy reiterates that Pakistan wants to address all issues, including terrorism and Kashmir, through dialogue

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said on Tuesday that extremist elements within India don’t want improvement in relations between the two countries.

"Extremist elements in India also disrupted a scheduled meeting between heads of cricket boards of the two countries," the envoy said, while speaking on a television programme, Radio Pakistan reported.

Pakistan concerned over growing intolerance

The envoy reiterated, "Pakistan wants to address all issues, including terrorism and Kashmir, through dialogue."

Basit’s remarks come a day after activists of India's Shiv Sena political group stormed the headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) just before Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan was to meet with BCCI chief Shashank Manohar to discuss a bilateral series for December this year.

Pakistan cricket fraternity slams Shiv Sena protest, demand ICC action

Earlier, Pakistan expressed deep concern after Shiv Sena activists scuppered cricketing. In a statement, the foreign ministry spokesperson said Pakistan has taken serious note of the increasing number of violent protests aimed at disrupting scheduled events in India involving Pakistani nationals.

The series of violent protests against Pakistani nationals comes at a time when relations between Islamabad and New Delhi are at their lowest point in recent years.