Pak cannot be in denial on impact of terrorism on bilateral ties: India

New Delhi: Emphasising on the need for swift progress in the Pathankot terror attack probe, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishanker on Tuesday told his Pakistan counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary that Islamabad cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship while asserting that the terrorist groups operating from their soil 'must not be allowed to operate with impunity'.

Read: India talks terror while Pakistan harps on Kashmir as 'core issue'

Describing the meeting between the two Foreign Secretaries as 'frank and constructive', Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the issue of listing Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar under the UN Security Council committee established under resolution 1267 was also brought up during the meeting.

"India's Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for early and visible progress on the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the Mumbai case trial in Pakistan. He also brought up the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar in the UN 1267 sanction committee," Swarup told the media here.

"Foreign Secretary Jaishankar clearly conveyed that Pakistan cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship. Terrorist groups based in Pakistan targeting India must not be allowed to operate with impunity," he added.

Swarup said that Jaishankar also brought up the issue of India seeking consular access to former naval officer Kulbhushan Yadav, presently in a Pakistani prison on allegations of being a RAW operative.

"We pressed for immediate consular access of Kulbhushan Yadav, the former Naval officer, abducted and taken to Pakistan. The discussion also covered humanitarian issues, including those pertaining to fishermen and prisoners, people-to-people contact including religious tourism. The two FSs exchanged ideas on taking the relationship forward and agreed to remain in touch," he said.

Read: Ready to resume dialogue when India is ready, says Pakistan

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry today held bilateral talks in New Delhi focusing on a range of issues.

The two Foreign Secretaries are also believed to have deliberated on ways to take forward the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD) between both sides.

India has been pressing for action against terrorists responsible for the audacious attack on the premier IAF base to move ahead in the talks.

During the meeting, the Pakistan Foreign Secretary emphasized that Kashmir remains the core issue that requires a just solution, in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Pakistan Foreign Secretary is in New Delhi on a day-long visit to attend the senior officials meeting of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.

Read: India, Pakistan should not foreclose any options on talks, says Pak official

It was the first such formal meeting between the two top diplomats after the talks were deferred in January following the strike by Pakistani terrorists at the Pathankot Airbase.