Krishna unhappy over Hurriyat meet

Despite the joint statement, external affairs minister SM Krishna made no secret of India’s unhappiness over certain issues in the closed door meeting.

Despite the joint statement, external affairs minister SM Krishna made no secret of India’s unhappiness over certain issues in the closed door meeting.

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Jihadi elements raising anti-India rhetoric, Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s meeting with Hurriyat leaders and slow progress over the 26/11 terror attacks were some of the issues that irked Krishna.

Officials said Krishna pitched for a comprehensive dialogue process but maintained that certain irritants were not helping the dialogue process.

An Indian official said: “The jihadi elements making anti-India rhetoric is a matter of concern and it doesn’t contribute to a conducive environment for the normalisation of ties.”

On Hafiz Saeed’s anti-India rhetoric, Pakistan foreign secretary, Salman Bashir, said, “A person’s view cannot be taken as that of the state’s.”

Krishna was also unhappy over Khar meeting with the separatist leadership when both countries are engaged in dialogue, officials said.

“It shows that despite Khar speaking about changing mindset, certain issues remain where they were,” said an official.

India also pitched for speedy justice on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan responded by repeating their stand on the Mumbai investigations, saying they were doing everything possible “within the legal framework” on the case.

On the issue of voice samples, a senior Pakistani diplomat, who did not want to be named, said that under the Pakistani legal system, a defence lawyer’s consent was required to take them. “The Indian media is of the impression that we are not doing anything, and it’s something the Indian government should change,” he said.

Khar also spoke of all political parties supporting the dialogue process. However, Indian officials are unsure of the extent to which the Pakistan army will remain on board.