Following strong objection by India over its envoy to Pakistan sharing stage with JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, Palestine on Saturday expressed “deep regrets” and recalled its ambassador while assuring to not “engage” with those who commit acts of terror against India.
“Palestine has decided to recall its Ambassador to Pakistan, Walid Abu Ali, for sharing stage with Hafiz Saeed,” Palestinian Ambassador to India Adnan Abu Al Haija said.
The development comes after Palestine regretted the envoys presence with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind.
“The Palestinian side has conveyed deep regrets over the incident and assured the Government of India that they are taking serious cognizance of their Ambassador’s presence at this event,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“They (Palestine) have said they will deal with this matter appropriately. It was also conveyed that Palestine highly values its relationship with India and stands with us in war against terrorism and will not engage with those who commit acts of terror against India,” it added.
Meanwhile, in a stern message to Palestine India termed the Palestinian Ambassador’s behaviour as “unacceptable”.
“Government of India has strongly conveyed to the Palestinian side that the Palestinian Ambassador in Pakistan’s association with terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is proscribed by the United Nations, at an event in Rawalpindi on 29.12.2017, is unacceptable,” the ministry said.
Palestine Ambassador to Pakistan Waleed Abu Ali on Friday shared the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks at a gathering organised by Difa-e-Pakistan Council, an umbrella organisation of hardline right-wing groups.
According to a report in Pakistan’s The Nation daily, the Rawalpindi central leadership of Difa-e-Pakistan-Council has announced to launch a countrywide movement for the liberation of Kashmir and Palestine.
This comes after India voted with the rest of the world earlier in December in favour of an Arab resolution in the UN General Assembly rejecting US President Donald Trump’s decision recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.