ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: Indian missions everywhere in the world would be celebrating their country’s Republic Day on Monday but surprisingly no public ceremony is being held by the high commission in Islamabad.

The cancellation of the public event because of what Indian High Commission claims to be “unavoidable circumstances” has become even more mysterious because of the contradictory and far-fetched explanations being given by different quarters.

The decision comes amid tension in the Pakistan-India ties in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. The cancellation of the event planned in Islamabad’s probably most secure hotel - Serena - has indeed become a hot topic of discussion in diplomatic circles.

The Republic Day ceremonies in Islamabad have been held even in the most difficult times in the relations between the two countries and under graver circumstances. No one in the high commission is able to actually recall when such cancellation had last taken place in Islamabad. Sources in the high commission say the “unavoidable circumstances” being mentioned in the public announcement was, in fact, a serious security threat.

However, sources in the federal capital’s diplomatic security apparatus believe that the Indian claim of security threat was implausible particularly given that the high commission in 2007 had held the Republic Day ceremony at Marriott Hotel which had been hit by a suicide bomber only a few hours before the start of the ceremony.

Besides, the other argument against the Indian claim of security threat is that the reception was planned in the present security situation and there was no deterioration in it that could have forced cancellation of the event.

Others think that India wanted to convey to the world that it was not satisfied with the security of its mission in Islamabad.

There is yet another perspective to the issue, according to which India called off the event because of a large number of regrets from invitees in the backdrop of prevailing tensions between the two countries. “They were not being able to put together the right kind of crowd,” a keen diplomatic observer said.

Additionally, it is said Indians were afraid of being embarrassed by some “unwelcome guest” over their stand on Mumbai issue and jacking up of tensions by India’s state machinery in the aftermath of the incident.

However, whatsoever may be the reasons Indians would now be holding an in-house ceremony at their high commission starting with the flag hoisting in the morning followed by some entertainment programmes for its mission staff and their families, and culminating with a lunch.