ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Observer Research Foundation Mumbai, Sudheendra Kulkarni, who organised a book launch in Mumbai for former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri – for which he faced the wrath of Shiv Sena activists – on Tuesday said Shiv Sena "does not represent views of the entire Indian people," adding that Pakistan should "have faith in India."

Talking exclusively to DawnNews, Sudheendra Kulkarni, whose face was blackened with ink by Shiv Sena activists for not calling off Kasuri's book launch event, said:

"India is a tolerant nation. Such incidents have damaged our reputation."

Kulkarni said "threats, bombs and bullets would accomplish nothing," and suggested that a dialogue must take place on all issues, including Kashmir, to improve ties between the two neighbouring countries.

"Pakistan must be aware of India's concerns on all issues and vice versa," he said.

Kulkarni, who worked actively to improve Indo-Pak ties during former Indian premier Vajpayee's government, stressed it was necessary for both nations to abate sentiments of hate through proper dialogue.

"Shiv Sena has given open threats. Those who spread distaste have always suffered defeat."

Former Pakistani foreign minister, Khurshid Kasuri, while talking to DawnNews, said the majority in India is not extremist, adding that the Mumbai police had provided him with "exceptional security" during his visit.

Kasuri said Shiv Sena's threats were not a surprise, and that calling off the event in light of such threats would have given the "wrong signal."

Shiv Sena announced to withdraw their protest against Kasuri’s book launch event in Mumbai, after its activists had blackened Sudheendra Kulkarni's face with oil-paint for not cancelling the Pakistani former minister's book launch event.

Read: Shiv Sena calls off protest against Kasuri's book launch

Kasuri had earlier expressed his discontentment on the attack on Kulkarni.

"As long as the protest was peaceful, it was justified but what happened to Kulkarni was beyond that."