New Delhi: In comments directed at the Hurriyat Conference, India made it clear on Monday that there was no place for any third party while dealing with issues with Pakistan.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the only way forward vis-a-vis Pakistan was a peaceful bilateral dialogue.
“Having repeated it on so many occasions, there should be no scope for misunderstanding or misrepresenting India’s position on the role of the so-called Hurriyat,” Akbaruddin said.
He said there were only two parties on India-Pakistan issues and there was no place for a third party.
“The only way forward to proceed on all outstanding issues is a peaceful bilateral dialogue within the framework of Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration,” he said.
Hurriyat Conference leaders are expected to attend the Pakistan Day function here on Monday evening.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, said his group wants to be “a bridge” between India and Pakistan.
Last year India called off foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan after the Pakistani envoy here met Kashmiri separatist leaders, ignoring India’s request not to do so.