PHOTO: AFP
NEW DELHI/ ISLAMABAD: In response to a Pakistani proposal for exclusive talks on the disputed Himalayan state of Kashmir, India said on Wednesday that there was nothing to discuss with Islamabad except cross-border terrorism.
Two days back, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry invited his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to visit Islamabad for talks on Kashmir that “has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan,” and that it was the international obligation of the two countries to resolve the issue.
"Since aspects related to cross-border terrorism are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we have proposed that discussions between the foreign secretaries be focused on them,” Jaishankar wrote back to Chaudhry, sources said.
“We have also conveyed that the government of India rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India where Pakistan has no locus standi," Jaishankar wrote in the letter while expressing his willingness to travel to Pakistan.
The Indian foreign secretary’s letter was later handed over to Chaudhry at the Foreign Office by Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale, a senior official said.
Jaishankar, however, separately said terrorism has become central to the relationship with Pakistan and it was hindering growth in ties, Indian Express reported.
“At times, domestic politics of our neighbours pose challenges. We’ve learnt to be patient. We have one standout country in the region which has a different view of terrorism which makes it a difficult partner for all of us,” Jaishankar said while addressing New Delhi’s Foreign Correspondents Club on Wednesday.
The Indian foreign secretary stressed on the need for India to go that extra mile for its neighbours, offering terms of engagement that are attractive to them.
“While we all agree that we should move forward, it doesn’t always go very smoothly. Problem is that the terrorism issue has become so central to the relationship that it makes the relationship difficult to grow. Looking at the neighbourhood, we clearly face a unique challenge in respect to one country which is Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, a senior official at the Foreign Office in Islamabad said they will respond to Jaishankar’s letter after analysing it.
It is not clear if India is indeed willing to hold talks with Pakistan or just trying to deflect international pressure but officials said the instant reply from New Delhi suggested the Indian foreign secretary’s visit could not be ruled out altogether.
Some observers believe the Indian move is a calculated one to help cool down the situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir. “For us the main issue at this time is to stop grave human rights violations being committed by Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the US State Department said on Wednesday that greater dialogue and counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan and India not only benefits the two countries, but also the United States.
“We would encourage greater dialogue and counterterrorism cooperation between both Pakistan and India,” US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner told a news briefing.
“We’ve said that many times. It’s for the good of both countries; it’s for the good of the region. Frankly, it’s for the benefit of the United States,” he said, adding that greater collaboration and dialogue was important. Toner was responding to questions on India’s comments on talks offer extended by Pakistan.
He also called on Islamabad to do more to prevent terrorism. “It’s important that Pakistan do the utmost to prevent terrorists from carrying out acts of terror – not just in Pakistan, but elsewhere in the region.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2016.
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