NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s top envoy to India on Wednesday defended his decision to meet Kashmiri leaders, a move that prompted New Delhi to cancel high-level talks between the neighbours.

High Commissioner Abdul Basit said he met Kashmiri leaders as part of efforts to resolve tensions between the two countries, including over the disputed Himalayan region.

New Delhi’s decision to call off talks between foreign secretaries which had been scheduled next week in Islamabad was a blow to hopes of warmer ties between the new Indian government and Islamabad.

“We believe Kashmiris are a stakeholder in this (diplomatic) process,” Mr Basit told reporters in the capital, saying meetings with the leaders were a “longstanding” practice.

Mr Basit also told reporters Pakistan was confident of “overcoming this setback” over the cancelled talks.

“We will not allow the process (of stronger ties) to be distracted in any way,” he said, adding, “You will find Pakistan seriously committed to the process.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise move to invite his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in May had spurred hopes that peace talks between the two countries could resume.

But last week Mr Modi accused Islamabad of waging a “proxy war” by sending militants to attack Indian targets.

There have also been several ceasefire violations across the Line of Control that have angered India. The United States earlier this week termed the cancellation of the talks disappointing.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2014