The External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, cancelled a meeting with senior members of the US Congress this week after they refused to exclude congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
Jayapal, a Democrat, is backing a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an end to the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir and for the Government of India to respect international human rights laws.
“I don’t think it (the resolution) is a fair understanding of situation in J&K or fair characterisation of what the Government of India is doing. I have no interest in meeting her.”S Jaishankar, as quoted by ANI
Responding to the development, Jayapal told The Washington Post, “This only furthers the idea that the Indian government isn’t willing to listen to any dissent at all. The seriousness of this moment should’ve been a reason for a conversation, not dictating who’s in the meeting, which seems very petty.”
She had earlier written to the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to convince the Indian government to "immediately lift the communications blackout" in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaishankar also held meetings with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, US President Donald Trump and other top officials, according to ANI reports.
Internet services remain suspended in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, now for over 100 days, after the government’s abrogation of Article 370.
(With inputs from The Washington Post, ANI and IANS)
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