Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and categorically conveyed Islamabad should let Indian diplomats posted in Pakistan work without hindrance. A message was sent to Pakistan that our accredited diplomats should be allowed to discharge their normal functions without any inconvenience. The incident of discourtesy involved the Karachi Chamber of Commerce where a speech on India-Pakistan trade ties by Mr. Bambawale was cancelled barely an hour before the event was to take place. Mr. Bambawale’s visit to Karachi was a privilege granted to him which turned controversial after his comments during an event held at the Karachi Council on foreign relations. Pakistani diplomatic sources based in India informed that they used the meeting with Indian diplomats to demand similar courtesies from our country.
M R Jayanthi
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