ISLAMABAD: In a stern rejoinder to Indian external affairs ministry`s position on the role of Kashmiris in settlement of bilateral disputes, Pakistan said on Tuesday that they (Kashmiris) were important stakeholders in the process.

`Kashmiris are important stakeholders as they are the ones required to exercise their right to self-determination,Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in a statement.

The spol(esman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Syed Akbaruddin, had earlier said in a statement: `Let me reiterate there are only two parties and there is no place for a third party in resolution of India-Pakistan issues. The only way forward to proceed on all outstandingissuesis a peaceful bilateral dialogue within the framework of Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration.The MEA issued the statement in reaction to Pakistan High Commissioner to India Mr Abdul Basit`s remarks that Indian government had no objection to his contacts with the Hurriyat leaders. Mr Basit was then responding to media queries about Pakistan Day reception invitation to Hurriyat leaders.

The diplomatic spat comes at a time when both governments are internally holding discussions on how to get past the impasse in bilateral ties. Thedeliberations are taking place in the aftermath of a meeting of foreign secretaries of the two countries in Islamabad earlier this month.

Prime Minister Modi`s government has maintained a hardline stance on Pakistan`s engagement with Hurriyat leadership. India had last year in August cancelled foreign secretaries` talks on the pretext that High Commissioner Basit consulted Hurriyat leadership before the meeting.

The FO spokesperson said:`Pakistan firmly believes that the Enal disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir issue should be in accordance with the will of the Kashmiri people, to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices, as enshrined in relevant Security Council resolutions.

She, however, reiterated government`s commitment to reviving peace dialogue with India that has been suspended since January 2013 due to ceaseñre violations along the Line ofControl and the Working Boundary.

`Pakistan remains committed to a sustained, unconditional and result-oriented dialogue with India, to discuss all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir,` Ms Aslam said.

The spokesperson said Pakistan had all along maintained that dialogue between Pakistan and India was important for peace, economic development and welfare of the people of South Asia.