External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (Wikimedia Commons)India has decided that it will not send any official representative to the Pakistan National Day event at Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on Friday (22 March).
The decision has been taken in light of the Pakistan inviting the representatives of the Hurriyat Conference to the event.
“This time Pakistan High Commission decided to invite Hurriyat representatives on Pakistan National Day. On that basis, we have decided that we will not send any representative for their reception on Pakistan National Day this year,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar was quoted by ANI as saying.
The Pakistan National Day is observed on 23 March every year, though the Pakistani High Commission had decided to organise the reception this year on 22 March, reports Hindustan Times. An Indian minister usually represents the government at the event.
As per some reports citing government sources, all Hurriyat separatists who participate in Pakistan National Day function this evening in New Delhi will be arrested as a new policy decision by the government.
Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan will reportedly also not attend the events in Islamabad on the occasion. India’s ambassador Ajay Bisaria and other diplomats in Pakistan will also boycott the event.
According to the HT report, after the tensions between India and Pakistan following Pulwama terror attack, India had formally complained to the Pakistan government about instances of its diplomats and officials in Islamabad being harassed by security personnel.
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