Any attempt by Pakistan to engage with Hurriyat will not be taken lightly, warns MEA

Mar 22 (AZINS) Indian External Affairs Minister spokesperson on Friday said that India has decided to not send any representative to Pakistan National Day reception after Islamabad extended invitation to Hurriyat leaders.

"I can confirm India has decided not to send any representative. This decision was taken after Pakistan decided to invite the Hurriyat representative to the reception," Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a press conference.

"You are aware of our reaction in the past, most recently in February. We are very clear, any attempt by Pakistan leadership or High Commission to engage with the Hurriyat leadership will not be taken lightly," he added.

India has taken a tough stand against Pakistan's attempt to engage Hurriyat. In January this year, India summoned the Pakistani high commissioner Sohail Mahmood after Pakistani foreign minister SM Qureshi spoke to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

The development comes on the back of Pulwama terror attack on February 14 which killed more than 40 Indian CRPF personnel.

On Pakistan National Day (March 23) Muslim League passed the Lahore resolution calling for the formation of Pakistan on March 23, 1940. Pakistan adopted its first constitution on March 23, 1956.

This year Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be the chief guest at the Pakistan Day Parade in Islamabad.

In the recent past, India had sent the minister of state in the ministry of external affairs Gen V.K. Singh, Former minister of state in the ministry of external affairs MJ Akbar and minister of state in agriculture ministry Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as New Delhi's representative to the national day.

It is part of a diplomatic tradition that a host country is invited to importation national events by any embassy or high commission and the host country deputies a political representative according to the nature of relationship it has.

India has been taking a strong stance against Pakistan's outreach to Hurriyat. In January this year, India summoned the Pakistani high commissioner Sohail Mahmood after Pakistani Foreign Minister SM Qureshi spoke to Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.