No place for third party in India-Pakistan talks: Govt on Hurriyat

Hitting out at Pakistan for the statement that India has no objection to invitation to Hurriyat leaders to its National Day celebrations here, Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said, “The Government of India prefers to speak for itself”.

“Having repeated it on so many occasions there should be no scope for misunderstanding or misrepresenting India’s position on the role of the so called Hurriyat.

“Let me reiterate there are only two parties and there is no place for a third party in resolution of India-Pakistan issues. The only way forward to proceed on all outstanding issues is a peaceful bilateral dialogue within the framework of Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration,” the MEA Spokesperson said.

Earlier, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, on the sidelines of an event to mark the Day, said India was not against it inviting the Kashmiri separatist leaders.

“I don’t think Indian government is objecting. I would rather suggest my media friends not to make an issue out of a non-issue,” Basit said.