New Delhi: In a calculated move, India on Wednesday seemingly agreed to Pakistan’s formal invitation for foreign secretary-level talks in Islamabad, but added the rider that the talks be focused on terrorism.
With its counter-offer, India once again effectively dismissed Pakistan’s attempts to meddle in India’s internal affairs by offers for talks on Kashmir. Pakistan’s support to terrorism has continued unabated, with Pakistan-based militant groups trying to cash in on demonstrations in the Valley.
Sources said, “In response to the invitation from Pakistan, the Indian foreign secretary has conveyed his willingness to visit Islamabad. Since aspects related to cross-border terrorism are central to the current situation in J&K, we have proposed that talks between the foreign secretaries be focused on them (terrorism).
India entirely rejects Pakistan allegations
“We have also conveyed that the Government of India rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in J&K, which is an integral part of India where Pakistan has no locus standi,” government sources said.
Pakistan’s foreign secretary had, on Monday, called in the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad and handed over a letter, formally inviting Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar for talks on the Kashmir issue.
Last Saturday, India had virtually dismissed a suggestion to this effect from the Pakistani PM's advisor on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, saying the focus during any talks should be on terrorism. India has reiterated that position again now.
In response to a statement by Mr Aziz on August 12, 2016, that Pakistan would invite India for a dialogue on Jammu & Kashmir on which the Pakistan foreign secretary would be writing to his Indian counterpart, the MEA official spokesperson in New Delhi had said on Saturday, “India would welcome a dialogue on contemporary and relevant issues in India-Pakistan relations. At this time they include stoppage of Pakistani support for cross-border terrorism, infiltration of terrorists like Bahadur Ali, incitement to violence and terrorism across the border, parading of internationally-recognised terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, and sincere follow-up on the Mumbai attacks trial and the Pathankot attack investigation in Pakistan.”
Pakistan had said on Monday, “The foreign secretary called in the Indian high commissioner this afternoon and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan. The letter highlights the international obligation of both the countries, India and Pakistan, to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.”
Lashing out at India in a fresh diatribe, Mr Aziz had said, India, though a large country, "does not automatically become a great country" and went on to accuse New Delhi of unleashing brute force in J&K, adding that the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through bullets.
