India says imposition of new conditions by Pakistan and distortion of the agreed agenda cannot be the basis for going forward with National Security Advisor, NSA, level talks. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said this evening the insistence on meeting Hurriyat as a precondition is also a complete departure from the Ufa understanding.
He said, the Ufa understanding on the talks – read out jointly by the two Foreign Secretaries – was very clear that the NSAs were to meet to discuss all issues connected to terrorism. The spokesperson said, India has always held the position that there are only two stake holders in Indo-Pak relations and remains committed to discuss issues with Pakistan peacefully and bilaterally.
Mr Swarup said, Pakistan took 22 days to respond to the Indian proposal to meet in New Delhi and then proposed an agenda that was at complete variance with what the two Prime Ministers had agreed upon in Ufa, Russia. He said, it appears that Islamabad is reluctant to go forward with sincerity on the agreed process.
Mr Swarup said, without confirming either the programme or the agenda, the Pakistani High Commissioner invited Hurriyat representatives to consult with the visiting NSA. This provocation was completely in consonance with Pakistan’s desire to evade its commitment at Ufa to engage in a substantive discussion on terrorism. The NSA level talks are scheduled to be held on Sunday.