But Mumbai no to consulate plans

The High Commissioner’s courtesy call was intended to persuade society members to back down on their objections to the Pakistan consulate’s tenancy.

But the two sides were unable to reach an understanding on basic points of contention. ‘‘We have worries about the disturbance that will be caused by the coming and going of hundreds of people every day for visas,’’ says advocate and society chairman V Rajagopal.

And, while the High Commissioner agreed verbally to regulate visa traffic, according to Rajagopal he was unwilling to provide a written undertaking. ‘‘It would mean our surrendering the diplomatic privileges that have been assured to every country by the Geneva Convention,” says Khalid Jamali, of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

Delhi-based Vijay Singhal, the owner of the 7,000 sq ft property, approached the society for its permission almost a month ago. The Pakistan consulate intended to occupy the space in Mittal Towers for just two years, until its residence in suburban Santa Cruz was complete.