MEA summons Abdul Basit over ‘discourtesy’ to Indian envoy

Basit is learnt to have told Mehta that this was a private event and the Pakistan government did not have any role in its cancellation.

Abdul Basit

A DAY after the Karachi Chamber of Commerce cancelled Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale’s event at the last minute, Secretary (West) Sujata Mehta expressed New Delhi’s concern over the “discourtesy” to Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, on Wednesday, officials said.

Basit is learnt to have told Mehta that this was a private event and the Pakistan government did not have any role in its cancellation. Sources said Basit replied that the Pakistan foreign ministry had given its permission to the Indian high commissioner to travel to Karachi and attend the event, which was not withdrawn.

WATCH VIDEO: Abdul Basit Interview Excerpts: War Is Not Really A Solution To Our Problems

Story continues below this ad

Official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said, “Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned to MEA & was conveyed concern of Government Of India on discourtesy to Indian High Commissioner.”

Swarup added, “He was conveyed our hope that our accredited diplomats in Pakistan will be allowed to discharge their normal functions without hindrance.”

According to sources, cancellation of invitation to the Indian envoy was a result of Bambawale’s statements at the Karachi Council of Foreign Relations, calling on Islamabad to focus on the country’s own problems and asserting that Kashmir is an integral part of India.
Bambawale was scheduled to address the business community at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce later on Tuesday.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Top Stories

On Monday, a state election commission official told The Indian Express that pre-SIR activities such as mapping and locating voters in previous voter lists were going on.

Why Assam has been excluded from next round of SIR by Election Commission

Navy officer shot dead wife's lover, walked free after 3 years despite court holding him guilty; crime of passion inspired Akshay Kumar, Gulzar’s films

Tyler Oliveira later shared a screenshot claiming, “My videos capturing India’s poop-throwing festivals are already getting mass reported" (Image source: @BRICSinfo/X)

Sports Shafali Verma replaces Pratika Rawal in India’s 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup squad ahead of semifinal clash against Australia

As nutrition is the central concern of regenerative agriculture, India must prioritise nutritional security by enhancing domestic production of pulses and oilseeds—crops that require fewer inputs and naturally fix nitrogen in the soil. To address this, the government has launched the Rs 11,440 crore ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ (2025–26 to 2030–31) — it aims to scale up domestic pulse production to 350 lakh tonnes. (C R Sasikumar)

Opinion Make the farm atmanirbhar

Live Blog

Loading Taboola...