New Delhi: The Pakistan envoy's dinner was to mark his country's Republic Day. Among the attendees were Kashmiri separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference. Though invitations to the separatists are standard practice, the envoy's remark irked India.
"I do not think the Indian government will have objections," Mr Basit said on Monday morning, of his invite to Kashmiri separatist leaders.
"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," rebuked Foreign Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.
However, the government then decided that General Singh, who is Minister of State for External Affairs, should attend the dinner. He had been invited a few days ago.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted that he had greeted his counterpart Nawaz Sharif for Islamabad's Republic Day, which was marked after seven years with a parade in the Pakistan capital.
Just after he attended a reception by the Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in Delhi, union minister and former army chief General VK Singh tweeted of "disgust" and "duty".
The tweets are being seen as rebellion by the minister, who was asked to attend the event by the government, and an embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After he was allegedly asked to clarify his tweet, the minister tweeted that he was "disgusted to see certain sections of the media are twisting this issue."
"I do not think the Indian government will have objections," Mr Basit said on Monday morning, of his invite to Kashmiri separatist leaders.
Advertisement
However, the government then decided that General Singh, who is Minister of State for External Affairs, should attend the dinner. He had been invited a few days ago.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Amid Delhi's Water Crisis, Lt Governor Dials Haryana Chief Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar Sparks Row With China Remark, Congress Distances Itself In New Faux Pas, Mani Shankar Aiyar Says "Alleged" 1962 Chinese Invasion Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points 7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Russia, Tsunami Warning Issued Prohibitory Orders In Kolkata Amid Protests Over Doctor's Rape-Murder Gaza Records First Polio Case In 25 Years As UN Urges Vaccinations Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.