India says terrorism has to be on agenda at secretary-level talks

India on Friday said the forthcoming foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan would cover all issues of mutual concern, “including the continuing threat posed by terrorism.”
The statement from the ministry of external affairs comes a day after the Pakistan foreign office said terrorism was not a part of the agreed agenda for the foreign secretary-level engagement with India”.

Foreign office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua had said the focus “would be on Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security, and promotion of friendly exchanges.”

In a late evening communication the MEA said, “The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, would discuss peace and security, including confidence building measures; Jammu and Kashmir; and promotion of friendly exchanges.

In addition, they are expected to review the progress in the recent rounds of bilateral talks between various ministries of both the countries. This would naturally cover all issues of mutual concern, including the continuing threat posed by terrorism.”

Yesterday, Janjua, while responding to a specific question on whether fresh evidence provided by India on the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks would be discussed at the meet, said, “…matters relating to terrorism had been discussed at the home/interior secretary level engagement and whatever New Delhi provides as fresh evidence or new information is sent to the interior ministry where it is examined on the basis of ground realities.”