India, Pakistan Continue Diplomatic Engagement Despite Suspension of Formal Dialogue: Report
India and Pakistan have discussed a range of issues including the release of elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners by both sides.
New Delhi, January 19: Although there has been no formal dialogue between India and Pakistan, the two countries have continued some diplomatic engagement. Last week, Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, called on Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua. Similarly, Pakistan's high commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, met Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale.
The two meetings were aimed at strengthening engagement over a range of issues including the release of elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners by both sides, harassment of diplomats and issues related to the proposed opening of the Kartarpur corridor later this year, TOI reports quoting sources. Pakistan has responded positively to India’s proposal to revive a mechanism of a joint judicial panel. Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria Meets Imran Khan, Gifts Him Cricket Bat Autographed by Entire Indian Team.
In October last year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had suggested that the two sides could progress on humanitarian issues related to elderly, women, children and mentally unsound prisoners. Following that, in March this year, India and Pakistan had agreed to release and repatriate women prisoners and those above 60 and below 18 years of age.
The harassment of diplomats may have been discussed at both the meetings. New Delhi has been accusing Islamabad and its ISI of harassing Indian diplomats working on their soil. Similar allegations have been levelled by Pakistan. Recently, Islamabad accused India of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relation by detaining a Pakistan high commission official.
The Indian government has reportedly sought to know why Indian prisoners in Pakistan have not been given consular access since July 1, 2018. According to Indian estimates, there are 49 Indian civilian prisoners and 482 fishermen lodged in Pakistan jails.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2019 11:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).