Signalling a tentative thaw in their frosty relations, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj indicated on Monday that there may be a window for resumption of dialogue with Pakistan.
Talking to the media on completing 100 days’ at the helm of India’s foreign ministry, Swaraj said New Delhi would not go to the UN General Assembly session with a predetermined mindset concerning talks with Pakistan.
“We will respond as the situation develops. We are not going with a predetermined mindset,” she said while responding to a question.
The Indian foreign minister did not rule out a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly later this month in New York.
Questioning the rationale behind Pakistan holding talks with Kashmiri leaders, Swaraj said she expected Pakistan not to meddle in India’s internal affairs. “I do not know why their high commissioner needed to invite Kashmiri leaders and talk to them?”
Asked about the future strategy in dealing with Pakistan, she said: “There is no full stop in diplomacy. People always move forward. There are no full stops in a diplomatic journey.”
Swaraj also expressed disappointment over the delay in trial of Mumbai terror attack suspects in Pakistan, while drawing a distinction between the 2008 attacks in the country’s commercial capital and bomb blasts in Samjhauta Express in 2007.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2014.
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