Kashmir is a trilateral issue

Riaz Hussain Khokhar
Former foreign secretary of Pakistan, who also served as Pakistan's ambassador to India from1992 to 1997

The government of India has called off the foreign secretary-level talks on very flimsy grounds. There is nothing new in the Kashmiri leadership meeting with the representatives of Pakistan. It has been going on for decades now. And if India is serious about diaolgue it cannot take these kind of decisions. The absence of dialogue only means tension between the two countries. What signal is India trying to give out?

The two prime ministers had recently met in New Delhi. The general understanding was that better atmosphere was prevailing and it had to be carried forward. Nawaz Sharif did not meet the Kashmiri leaders during his visit last time. It was a gesture on his behalf and India should have responded well. However, personally I think Sharif made a big mistake and he was heavily criticized for that here in Pakistan.

India must understand that Kashmir is a trilateral issue and has to be talked about. Pakistan's contact with Kashmir is not supposed to subvert India's position on the issue. Even if India and Pakistan talk bilaterally and decide on something, it is not neccesary that Kashmir will agree to that position. But he core issue is we have to keep on talking.

Perhaps India may want to review its decision after two or three weeks. The ball is in India's court. We in Pakistan as of now are busy with many internal developments.