India has proposed February 18 or 25 to Pakistan for Foreign Secretary-level talks as part of a "practical and pragmatic" approach to seek redressal of its core concern of cross-border terrorism, but warns that there will be a huge setback if 26/11 is repeated.
India underlines that the proposed Foreign Secretary-level talks would not mean resumption of composite dialogue even though it is ready to discuss whatever issue Pakistan raises, including Balochistan, as it wants to deal with the situation in a "mature" and "confident" manner.
From the Indian side, cross-border terrorism and infiltration, which witnessed a marked increase last year, will be the "centre-piece" of the proposed meeting.
Under the composite dialogue, eight issues including Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism were discussed in four rounds
of talks before it was "paused" in November 2008 in the wake of Mumbai attacks.
The Foreign Secretary-level talks "are not composite dialogue but just dialogue" to "unlock" the channels of
communication frozen since 26/11 attacks, sources said on Sunday.
The offer of talks is a "practical and pragmatic approach" to seek redressal of India's concerns with regard to cross-border terrorism, the sources said, adding the intention is to convey its point of view directly to the Pakistani establishment rather than "firing salvos".
{{/usCountry}}The offer of talks is a "practical and pragmatic approach" to seek redressal of India's concerns with regard to cross-border terrorism, the sources said, adding the intention is to convey its point of view directly to the Pakistani establishment rather than "firing salvos".
{{/usCountry}}In the ice-breaking decision, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has invited her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here
for talks and proposed February 18 and 25 for the same.