Pakistani diplomats barred from Jaipur literary fest
People listen to a speaker during a session at the Jaipur Literature Festival. -Photo by AP
NEW DELHI: The long-standing hostility between India and Pakistan has extended to the Jaipur Literary Festival, with New Delhi refusing to allow two Pakistani diplomats from attending the event.
The two New Delhi-based Pakistani diplomats had sought permission from India’s External Affairs ministry to visit the historic city of Jaipur to attend a popular literary festival held there annually.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said Friday that denial of permission did not specifically have anything to do with the festival but was a ”coincidence.”
Several noted Pakistani writers are participating in the five-day festival which brings together tens of thousands of literature enthusiasts and writers.
Indian officials say all diplomats need official approval from India’s External Affairs Ministry to travel out of New Delhi.
Has Pakistan put restrictions on Indian diplomats’ travel in Pakistan ? If not then it is sheer pettiness.
I would just get permission to visit Ajmer which can’t be denied due to religious reasons and then put on some shades and sneak off to Jaipur, which is under 90 miles away. Nobody would notice or care.
We need to pursue knowledge anywhere; but we also need to determine where we are un-welcome! India is a neighbor we must learn and respect to live with but on mutual respect. Pakistan must put its own house in order and stabilize its self economically. When we start respecting ourselves others will follow suit!
Correction..’Indian officials say all Pakistani diplomats need official approval from India’s External Affairs Ministry to travel out of New Delhi”
it is time to recall our ambassador and diplomatic staff from that country; we can’t ever be friends with these people.
Immature reaction by mature Indian leaders who know how to deflect public’s attention from their own failures. Hence, ignore it.
Once you take the CSS then you can comment on how illiterate your diplomats are
Verry well said Hassan bhai…
Typical Indian mindset and Dawn writers are stuffing in our throat about cordial relationship with India and trying to undo the independence of Pakistan through there blogs.
pretty uncalled for…!!!!!!!!
“Indian officials say all diplomats need official approval from India’s External Affairs Ministry to travel out of New Delhi.”
I am sure the favor will be returned to Indian diplomats in Pakistan pretty soon.
It truely depicts the mentality of Indian government…!
Petty move by India.
i wonder what our mostly semi literate diplomats have to do with literary fetival, maybe just photoshoot.
Well said Hassan….!!! there are Pakistani writers….only the diplomats were not allowed…no no conspiracy here guys.
This is all you could think about? What a shameless comment. What world you live in that you have no clue about your country
They wants to go to literary festival to improve their american accent
our semi literate diplomats…are you refferring to indian diplomats////
Hassan…At least, they will wear good suits to represent Pakistan even though the ‘diplomats’ have no clue what is happening
What an illiterate and illinformed opinion hassan! Probably you never had the privilage to be in company of a Pakistani diplomatic corps officer. Maybe you should start with reading more about the respected Mr Akbar Salahuddin Ahmed or even Hussain Haqqani (irrespective of what one might think of his liberal tendencies) who are much recent diplomats.
seriously you are so naive
Good job by the ministry. These “diplomats” are probably spies, or terrorist managers. The Pakistanis have no good in any of their intentions. As just one example, look at Javed Naqvi, the Pakistani news correspondent in Delhi. EVERY article of his consists of taking some Indian event, festival, custom or item of history and viciously bad-mouthing it.
Sir, Do you know who Akbar S. Ahmed is? Perhaps you should look him up before posting such great ideas. Your question would have been more profound if you questioned why they were barred.