NEW DELHI: Pakistan has justified in an official statement its decision not to allow senior Indian diplomat to lead the Indian mission, accusing India of trying to “circumvent the degrading effect of relations.”
As TOI first reported on Sunday, Pakistan had blocked the appointment of Jayant Khobragade, an IFS officer from the 1995 group, saying he was too senior to lead the Indian mission at a time when bilateral relations had deteriorated.
The government, however, believes that is only the apparent reason at a time when Pakistan is waging an international information war against India in the Cashmere problem.
Pakistan, in fact, raised the Jammu and Kashmir issue in its statement on Khobragade saying that India-Pakistan relations are “inextricably linked to the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant Resolutions of the Council of UN Security “.
Pakistan said it had “advised” India to appoint an officer with seniority commensurate with Pakistan’s decision to downgrade diplomatic relations.
While Pakistan had remembered its high commissioner last year To protest India’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, India had further downgraded ties by halving the mission’s strength in June this year.
India had said that Pakistani officials were involved in espionage and terrorism-related activities.
“A just and lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is essential for lasting peace and stability in South Asia. Accordingly, India is once again reminded of its international obligations with respect to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. India must listen to the voices of the Kashmiri people and the world community, ”Pakistan said in its statement.
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