Talking tough with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has told him that India wants result-oriented talks with Islamabad when it comes to Jammu & Kashmir. However, he mentioned that justifying terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of India is hardly a serious basis for a result-oriented dialogue. The FS further made it explicit that the agenda before India and Pakistan today is clearly to put an end to cross-border terrorism and incitement to violence from Pakistan as not just India but the entire neighbourhood is disturbed because of this.
In his response to his counterpart’s second letter of August 19, inviting Jaishankar to Islamabad for talks regarding the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir, the FS said he hoped that the Government of Pakistan will reconsider its approach and show sincerity towards promoting good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence. “This will also send a larger message to a region, which is deeply troubled by the policies that emanate from Pakistan,” the FS wrote while conveying his readiness to be available to engage any time at mutual convenience on these issues.
“As Pakistan is aware, the intended result at issue is the early vacation by Pakistan of its illegal occupation. The FS has reiterated that the basis for further discussions is the Simla Agreement of 1972, the lahore Declaration of 1999 and the Joint Statement of 2004. FS has underlined that as far as terrorism is concerned, not just India but the larger region is acutely aware that Pakistan is actually a prime perpetrator. A recent example of Pakistan’s policies is the apprehension in India of a leT-trained Pakistani terrorist, Bahadur Ali,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Friday, while elaborating the contents of the letter.
Swarup said that terrorism and providing support and sanctuary and safe havens to terrorists and making the distinction between good and bad terrorists have posed enormous risk to peace and stability in the region. “And it is important for Pakistan to recognize that reality, to not remain in denial on the impact of cross border terrorism on bilateral relations. I think the sooner Pakistan recognizes the central importance of this fact, the sooner India-Pakistan relations can make progress,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, India expressed concerns over the human rights violations in Balochistan and the recent spate of killings and abductions of innocent Baloch people by Pakistani security forces. However, whether India will take this matter up at international level is yet to be seen. “India has a strong human rights record at home and we are naturally concerned of gross violations of human rights in the region. How this is expressed in our diplomacy is something that you will have to wait and see,” Swarup said while responding to the Balochistan issue.