Islamabad, Aug 22 : After a bitter war of words over the agenda of the NSA-level talks, Pakistan stuck to its objection and called off the talks saying India’s pre-conditions were unacceptable.
Pakistan sources said that the talks cannot be focused on terror and Kashmir must be on the agenda. Pakistan also said that NSA Sartaj Aziz cannot come to India if he is not allowed to hold talks with Hurriyat leaders.
Pakistan’s move came just hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the NSA-level talks would focus only on the issue of terrorism and nothing else.
While addressing a press conference, Swaraj said, “There cannot be talk with terror, but there can be talk on terror, and it is a must. The understanding in Ufa clearly stated in writing that the agenda was decided.
On the issue of not allowing Sartaj Aziz’s meet with Hurriyat leaders, the Union Minister said that it was decided in the Shimla accord that no third party should be involved when India and Pakistan sit to talk.
Stopping short of cancelling the talks, the External Affairs Minister said, “We are ready to welcome Sartaj Aziz if he doesn’t involve any third party and if talks remain confined to terror, as discussed in Ufa by the leaders of the two countries.”
Earlier on Saturday, Sartaj Aziz, who is scheduled to travel to New Delhi on Sunday for talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, told a press conference in Islamabad that he is ready to travel to India as per schedule but without any pre-conditions.
He criticised the Indian government for its insistence that he should not meet Kashmiri separatist leaders while in New Delhi.
“Pakistan wants to discuss modalities of Kashmir issues, it is a complex issue. We never expected any breakthrough in the meeting, but current issues could be resolved,” said Aziz.
He further said that Pakistan was worried about the arrest and detention of Hurriyat separatist leaders ahead of the NSA-level talks.
