India has decided to boycott a reception at the Pakistan High Commission here to mark Pakistan’s National Day as several separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir have been invited to the event, the External Affairs Ministry said Friday.
It said no Indian representative will attend similar eventsin Islamabad as well.
Over the years, India’s representation at the annual eventhas been at the level of a Union minister.
“India has decided not to send any representative toattend the Pakistan National Day celebrations today. This decision was takenafter Pakistan High Commission decided to invite representatives of theHurriyat Conference to the reception,” External Affairs MinistrySpokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution onMarch 23 each year.
At a media briefing, Kumar also said that India is veryclear that any attempt by the Pakistani High Commission or Pakistani leadershipto engage with the Hurriyat Conference will not be taken lightly.
India has been strongly opposed to Pakistan engaging withseparatists leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our High Commission in Islamabad will also not beattending the reception there,” Kumar said, replying to a question.
Sources said last week India conveyed to Pakistan HighCommission that it will not send any representative to the reception ifHurriyat leaders are invited to it.
They said India is boycotting the events for extendinginvitation to Hurriyat leaders and not because of any other issue.
Last year, the reception at the Pakistan embassy wasattended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers WelfareGajendra Singh Shekhawat. Some low-ranking leaders from a number of separatistoutfits from Kashmir also attended the reception.
India’s decision to boycott the reception here and events inIslamabad comes in the backdrop of heightened tension between the twonuclear-armed neighbours after the February 14 Pulwama militant attack andsubsequent air strike by India in Pakistan’s Balakot on February 26. Pakistanretaliated the next day.