AMN
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry on Monday formally invited his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar to Pakistan for dialogue on the Kashmir.
Aizaz called on the Indian High Commissioner to Islamabad and handed over a letter addressed to Jaishankar highlighting the international obligations of Pakistan and India with regards to resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, said Pak Foriegn Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria.
The move comes as relations between Pakistan and India remain strained a day after ceasefire violations along the Line of Control on Aug 14, and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit’s comments dedicating Independence Day to the freedom of Kashmiris.
Tensions between Pakistan and India have been running high since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani sparked anti-government protests in Kashmir, with over 60 people dead in clashes between protesters and forces.
“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,” the statement said.
Pakistan’s adviser on foreign affairs said last week that a conference of envoys of Pakistan earlier this month had agreed that Pakistan seek talks with India.
The invite came days after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh addressed Parliament on the Kashmir issue and said that India was willing to discuss only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with Pakistan, and that the question of discussing Jammu and Kashmir with Islamabad just does not arise.
India also virtually turned down Pakistan’s proposal that it would invite India for a dialogue on J&K and made it clear that it would talk on “contemporary and relevant” issues in Indo-Pak relations.