A day after its meeting with Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, the Hurriyat Conference today took the peace process to the Iranian Embassy, seeking help to impress upon Pakistan to support the dialogue process with New Delhi.Hurriyat chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari led the team to the Iranian Embassy where they informed mission officials of yesterday’s meeting with Advani.Relations between the Ansari-led faction of Hurriyat and Islamabad have soured after the recent split in the conglomerate. While Islamabad has accorded sanction to the faction led by hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, New Delhi recognised the Abbas faction by holding talks with them yesterday.‘‘The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes negotiations between the Indian government and Kashmiri groups and describes it as a major step for establishing peace and stability in the region,’’ spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry Hamid Reza Asefi said in a release here.The involvement of Iran is significant given its good relations with both India and Pakistan. A Hurriyat leader said Iran has always been a friend to India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir and has been a strong votary for ending violence in the valley.The Hurriyat is also contemplating a courtesy call on Pakistan Ambassador Aziz Ahmed Khan. The spadework for that, however, has been left to the Iranian officials.
