Sir — The Government’s decision to depute Union Minister and former Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh to attend the Pakistan Day event was unwise. Mr Abdul Basit, the Pakistani High Commissioner, had already invited leaders of the separatist groups in Kashmir for the function. India had earlier halted the dialogue with Pakistan due to a similar meeting of the High Commissioner with the Hurriyat leaders.
It is pertinent to mention here that these separatist leaders are not accredited representatives of the people of Kashmir. They have so far neither influenced nor inspired the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Also, they have not been able to prevent the people from voting in large numbers. They are irrelevant.