Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the NSA-level talks between the two countries will not be taking place.
Pakistan has cancelled Sartaj Aziz's visit to India to hold NSA-level talks on August 23 and 24, according to reports. Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the NSA-level talks between the two countries will not be taking place.
"Pakistan reiterates that the scheduled NSA level talks cannot be held on the basis of the preconditions set by India. We have come to the conclusion that proposed NSA level talks between the two countries would not serve any purpose if conducted on the basis of the two conditions laid down by the Minister (Sushma Swaraj). Main purpose of any dialogue between India and Pakistan is to reduce tensions and restore trust as a first step towards normalization," read the Pak MoFA statement.
The statement further added, "If only purpose of NSA level talks is to discuss terrorism, then instead of improving prospects for peace it will only intensify the blame game and further vitiate the atmosphere. That is why Pakistan had suggested that apart from discussion on terrorism related issues, the two sides should also discuss modalities and if possible a time schedule for discussions on all outstanding issues including Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek, in keeping with the understanding of the Ufa statement. That is the only way to improve the prospects for peace between the two countries. "
Referring to the press conference held by External Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday evening, Pak MoFA said, "The External Affairs Minister's attempt to draw a distinction between pre-ambular and operative paragraphs in the Ufa statement appears to be an after-thought to justify a position that is counter-productive in terms of ultimate objective of reducing tensions and improving trust."
In the press conference, Swaraj had blamed Pakistan for the Gurdaspur and Udhampur terror attacks. Reacting to this, Pak MoFA statement said, "Considering that many terror 'incidents' blamed initially by India on Pakistan eventually turned out to be fake, its not improbable that India can delay the Resumed Dialogue indefinitely by concocting one or two incidents and keeping the LoC hot.
Addressing the press conference, Swaraj had said that the NSA-level talks would focus only on the issue of terrorism and nothing else, as decided by PM Narendra Modi and Pak PM Nawaz Sharif in Ufa, Russia.
"The understanding in Ufa clearly stated in writing that the agenda was decided," she said.
Swaraj had stressed on the point that the talks between the two nations will not take place if Pakistan decides to go ahead with their meeting with Kashmiri separatists.
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