PoK leader bid to speak on Kashmir in France thwarted

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Ahead of India taking delivery of the first Rafale jet on October 8, an attempt by Pakistan to have the President of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir speak on the Kashmir issue in the French National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament, was thwarted by India late last month.The France-Pakistan Friendship Group had invited Masood Khan, President of PoK as chief guest to talk to French legislators on the issue of Kashmir on September 26, it is learnt.India issued a demarche to the French foreign ministry expressing disappointment over the proposed event.Acting quickly, the French government informed the National Assembly that such a move could impact bilateral ties with India. Khan was then dropped as chief guest and instead the Pakistani Ambassador to France Moin-ul-Haque spoke.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is to visit France to formally receive the first of the 36 Rafale fighter jets, manufactured by Dassault Aviation.
--IANS rn/kr