ISLAMABAD, May 29: Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan has missed a meeting convened for all Saarc ambassadors by the new Indian External Affairs minister, Natwar Singh, in New Delhi on Friday, it is reliably learnt.

Aziz Khan was the only Saarc ambassador who did not attend the meeting.

This was Natwar Singh's first interaction with ambassadors of Saarc countries after assuming charge earlier this week.

The purpose of the meeting conducted exclusively for envoys of Saarc member countries was to convey the importance India would attach to relations with its South Asian neighbours, diplomats said.

There is concern here in the official circles about Mr. Khan's absence from New Delhi at a crucial time like this when a new government has just taken over and questions are being raised about its implications on the peace process with Pakistan.

According to government sources, Mr. Aziz Khan has proceeded to Canada to attend his son's graduation ceremony. He left New Delhi on May 25 on a week's leave. Apparently he was advised by the Foreign Office against taking a leave at this time because of the post-election developments in India that need to be monitored and assessed. The established diplomatic practice requires that at such times all ambassadors, particular those posted in key world capitals, send regular feedback to their respective governments.