E-Paper
Pakistan 'reviewing' India's proposal for NSA-level talks
Pakistan has not responded so far to India’s proposal to hold talks between national security advisers in New Delhi on August 23-24, escalating a bitter battle of nerves after a fruitful meeting of both the prime ministers in Russia last month.
Pakistan has not responded so far to India’s proposal to hold talks between national security advisers in New Delhi on August 23-24, escalating a bitter battle of nerves after a fruitful meeting of both the prime ministers in Russia last month.
“India has to create an enabling environment for talks. We are reviewing the situation. There is a feeling in Pakistan that India would use the opportunity of the talks to raise further accusations,” a Pakistani source said.
Pakistan kept protesting against alleged ceasefire violations by India through the past week and summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner on Tuesday over the death of a civilian “in the Indian firing”.
India has not protested about any ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the same period through diplomatic channels. Pakistan, however, has accused India of running a propaganda war.
The Indian side sees this as a deliberate and renewed attempt on Pakistan’s part to internationalise the Kashmir issue.
That has been evident in the latest incident of not inviting the Jammu and Kashmir assembly speaker at a Commonwealth parliamentary panel meet in Pakistan’s Capital Islamabad.
Also, India says there is no evidence to show that Pakistan is reigning in terror outfits.
“When it comes to the question of terrorists being propped up and supported by elements in the Pakistani government, the Government of India from time to time has categorically stated, with evidence also, that there are elements within the Pakistani government who actively take part in their efforts to train and send militants to Indian territory,” Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju said in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The minister was responding to supplementary questions about the justification behind holding national security adviser-level talks despite recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
While Pakistan says India is yet to take up the latest terror incidents in Gurdaspur and Udhampur through diplomatic channels, Indian sources said all issues related to terrorism would be discussed by the national security advisers in their proposed meeting.
