Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said the Pakistan envoy in India should be sent back to Islamabad within 24 hours, as Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit “spews venom against the country sitting in Delhi”. The BJP, on the other hand, attributed Basit’s remarks to his “frustration”.
“Such a person, who spews venom against the country sitting in Delhi, should to sent back to Islamabad within 24 hours. He is making such statement a day before our Independence Day and I’m sure the government will take action against him,” Raut said, “Don’t know why Pakistan is celebrating Independence Day as it is observed by nations and Pakistan is not a nation, it’s a hub of terrorists.”
BJP dismissed the comment, and tried to underplay it, saying Basit was venting his frustration after Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted Pakistan over atrocities against people in PoK and Balochistan.
BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, “India is exposing Pakistan at international level and has made it clear that talks will be now about the repression of people in PoK and how they can get rid of this.”
MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said, “Our stand is very clear in the context of J&K issue. If at all there is any outstanding issue with Pakistan it is how to liberate the part of J&K which remains under illegal occupation of Islamabad after 60-65 years of Independence and make it a part of J&K and part of the Indian Union.. Whatever goes on in Islamabad and on behalf of Pakistani authorities is a reflection of confusion and frustration they suffer from.”
Basit had earlier dedicated Pakistani Independence Day, which falls on August 14, to Kashmir’s freedom. He said his country has “always made efforts” to improve relations with India. This year, he said Pakistan will dedicate its Independence to Kashmir’s struggle for freedom.
