Amid a rise in Indo-Pak tensions, on Friday the Indian government has decided that it will not send any of its official representative to the Pakistan National Day event which will be held at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
According to the Hindustan Times, the Indian government decided to boycott the Pakistan National Day event after it was found that Kashmiri separatist leaders were also invited to the event. The Pakistan National Day is observed every year on March 23, though the Pakistan High Commission had decided to organise the event this year on March 22. Every year usually an Indian minister usually represents the government at the Pakistan National Day event.
After the Pulwama terror attack, bilateral ties between India and Pakistan are seen to be declining. India had formally complained to the Pakistan government about instances of its diplomats and officials in Islamabad being harassed by security personnel.