Islamabad, December 10: An Indian diplomat, who was invited to attend the SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry meeting underway in Islamabad, walked out soon as the session began as a mark of protest. The dissent was exhibited by the Indian official to protest the presence of Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, a minister in the Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK).

Reports have confirmed that diplomat Shubham Singh, part of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was instructed to attend the SAARC meeting held today. His decision to leave mid-way was, however, lauded by his superiors as India has consistently used diplomatic channels to protest the occupation of parts of Kashmir by Pakistan. PM Modi Will Not Attend SAARC Summit, India Turns Down Invite.

India considers Kashmir as its integral part and does not recognise any minister for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In 2016, India had pulled out of the 19th SAARC summit that was to be held in Islamabad after the deadly terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri. The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to attend. No SAARC meeting has happened ever since.

India called off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September after the brutal killing of policemen in Jammu and Kashmir and the release of a postage stamp by Pakistan that glorified Kashmiri militant commander Burhan Wani.

(With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2018 03:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).