Amidst Indo-Pak tension, 3 young MPs to attend SAARC parliamentarians' meet in Islamabad

Kalikesh Singh Deo, Lok Sabha MP of the BJD is leading a 3-member delegation to attend SAARC meeting of young parliamentarians.

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In Short

  • Delegation of young members of Parliament heading to Islamabad.
  • Kalikesh Singh Deo to lead 3-member delegation.
  • Delegation to attend SAARC meeting of young parliamentarians.

Even as India and Pakistan continue to issue tense statements over Kashmir, a delegation of young members of Parliament is heading to Islamabad. Kalikesh Singh Deo, Lok Sabha MP of the BJD is leading a 3-member delegation to attend SAARC meeting of young parliamentarians.

Devji Bhai Patel of the BJP and Alok Tiwari, Rajya Sabha member of the Samajwadi Party will also be deliberating in the conference themed 'Promoting Peace and Harmony'. A formal dinner on Monday evening for all parliamentarians precedes the conference that kicks off formally on Tuesday morning.

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INDIA TO RAISE HAMID ANSARI CASE

Kalikesh Singh Deo will articulate his thoughts in a session on Human Rights where he is expected to highlight humanitarian issues in the South Asian region as well as prisoners' issues with Pakistan. The case of Mumbai boy and Software Engineer Hamid Ansari lodged in a Peshawar jail despite having served his three-year long sentence, is likely to be raised.

India Today had highlighted the struggle of his parents Nehal and Fauzia Ansari, following which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with them and assured all possible help.

INDIA UPS ANTE ON KASHMIR ISSUE

The session that ends on August 18, follows the recent visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to attend the SAARC Interior Ministers Conference in Islamabad. Rajnath Singh's visit though was mired in protocol related controversy with much cold vibes reportedly shared between him and his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan. Since then India has upped the ante on the Kashmir issue and is raising the issues of atrocities of Pakistan army in Balochistan and protests in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan aggressively.

Pakistan will be hosting the 19th SAARC summit this year from November 9-10 in Islamabad. Prime Minister Modi has technically accepted the invitation to attend the summit meet.

Also read:

Sushma Swaraj reaches out to a mother in pain, promises help to Hamid Ansari's parents