The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vehemently opposed the meeting between Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's advisor Sartaz Aziz and Kashmiri separatist leaders.
"Shocked to see that the UPA govt has allowed Pakistan PM's advisor Sartaj Aziz to hold talks with Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi. Why Mr Aziz is given this opportunity when Pakistan is committing acts of aggression in the state of Jammu and Kashmir?" BJP president Rajnath Singh posted on Twitter.
The Pakistan High Commission invited senior Hurriyat and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leaders by telephone.
Sources told The Hindu that Deputy High Commissioner Rifat Masood had forwarded the message about Aziz wanting to discuss latest political issues, regarding tensions along the Line of Control and the International Border, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
"By allowing Mr Sartaj Aziz to hold talks with the separatists on Indian soil the UPA govt has committed another diplomatic blunder. Kashmir issue is India's internal matter and it should be resolved through a home grown solution," the BJP leader tweeted.
Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told ANI, "We want a peaceful solution to Kashmir problem and want to contribute to dialogue process. I am hoping to hear how Pakistan wants to address the Kashmir issue and also want to express our point of view."
He added that his party wanted the ceasefire to be restored at LoC and that 'a process of trust-building should be initiated' between the two countries as soon as possible. Aziz told ANI, "We are also trying that there be peace (at LoC)."
Farooq would be leading a four-member delegation from the Hurriyat's moderate faction. JKLF chairman Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, head of the Hurriyat's radical faction, will also be meeting Aziz on Sunday evening.
