Pakistan created an abnormal situation by asking its high commissioner to meet the Hurriyat leaders despite the Indian foreign secretary's "advice' against such a move.

Advice like this is not given normally to a foreign envoy unless an issue of high political sensitivity to the host government is involved. But, if given, the expectation is that it will be accepted.

A foreign envoy has to maintain a functional relationship with his host government that can be seriously impaired if a confrontational choice is made.

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