When asked about the prospects of a meeting between senior Pakistani and Indian officials, who are in New York for the UN General Assembly session, the foreign secretary said the onus now is on India since it cancelled the foreign secretary level talks, which were scheduled to be held in Islamabad last month in a resumption of the peace dialogue.
"If the Indians are interested in a meeting, we expect them to approach us." He added that officials from the two countries have not had any meeting during a Commonwealth foreign ministers conference.
The premier is expected to conduct bilateral meetings with numerous world leaders, including US Vice President Joseph Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Further, he revealed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will speak about the decades-old Jammu and Kashmir dispute in his address to the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Islamabad believes, as part of its core policy, that the Kashmiris should have the right to self-determination, he said.
Responding to a question, he said Pakistan has a longstanding policy to engage Kashmiri leaders as part of consultation process. "The Kashmir issue cannot just be wished away," he added.
In response to a question, Aizaz Chaudhry noted that the PM's participation in the UN General Assembly is not only an opportunity to spell out Islamabad's views on key international issues but also it emanates an important message that Islamabad is moving forward with its agenda of economic progress and peaceful relations.
Further, Chaudhry, who is part of the delegation headed by PM Nawaz Sharif, said Pakistan is not part of the international coalition being cobbled to fight Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants.
He explained that Islamabad's hands are full as it is waging a major operation against militants in North Waziristan. Further, he clarified that Islamabad has no confirmation of any Pakistani fighting alongside ISIS militants in Iraq or Syria.
"There is no place for terrorists in Pakistan", he said, when questioned about a UN Security resolution that asks nations to take concrete measures to stem the flow of terrorists, and added that Islamabad is already pursuing a range of steps to curb the menace of terrorism.
Replying to another question, the foreign secretary said Pakistan has made urgent efforts to repatriate stranded Pakistan from violence-hit Libya, and will continue to bring back the remaining citizens.
COMMENTS (10)
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Revival of peace process is and will always be in India's hand ... :-))
Delay is good. +++++++++++++++++ By next few decades the Paki guilty of Mumbai would also hv been punished..... or am I over optimistic?
India is peaceful. Peace process is for Pakistan to attain peace. The ball is NOT in India's court.
If Pakistan wants to lock up the monster it created, it needs to be flexible and follow India's terms. India can wait..
We have waited 68 years haven't we.. :)
The longer Pakistan waits, the more powerful India will become. India's Economy already 3rd largest in PPP terms. Pakistan's is not even big enough to be G20, even though its population is 6th largest in the world.
India has a solid base, institutions, working Democracy, Educated middle class and stability, none of which Pakistan can claim to possess.
The time for Pakistan to talk to India is now. As years pass India will grow stronger and stronger economically, giving it more influence in the world arena.
There will come a time Pakistan will become insignificant in India's calculation.
Pakistan is wasting time by talking to Islamist Hurriat, when they themselves are fighting the Islamist TTP. God knows what sense it makes to fight Islamists in Pakistan, but support them in Kashmir.
@3rdRockFromTheSun:
Well ths issue isn't even about who needs peace more. India would be a willing partner as long as India benefits (which it would) as long as it saw some sincerity in Pakistan's approach. However when Pakistan fails to implement trade and visa liberalisation agreements which have been negotiated painstakingly, continues to violate ceasefire during spring and summer season for reasons we all know, meets Hurriyat despite being asked not to do so - then it becomes clear that peace talks will not yield any peace dividend to India.
When Pakistan's words seeking peace are matched by its actions, India will not be found wanting. Until then the foreign office has many other important priorities it needs to focus on including building strong partnership with our SAARC partners and pushing India's economic agenda through the consulates throughout the world.
@Prakash: I agree with the spirit of what you are saying but J&K has a separate constitution as part of article 370 - also a separate flag and amongst other things state elections are held there every 6 years instead of 5 in rest of India
It is Pakistan that needs 'Peace with India' more than India that needs 'Peace with Pakistan'.
India can wait it out for a long, long time. So sir, that ball is actually in your court.
Kashmiris in India are part of a secular democracy and, like every five years, are soon going to exercise their right of self-determination through elections. And this time they will make their choice loud and clear when they elect BJP to the state assembly. On the other hand, Pakistanis keep suffering alternately between dictatorships and rigged-elections. Where is their right of self-determination?
What peace process ? Arrest Hafiz Saeed and his gang first before anything else can begin.
Yes, it is a Good idea for Pakistan to wait for India to approach for peace talks. These discussions waste lots of time which could be used for other purposes.
Modi saab now busy in gathering investment of the period 5 years to consolidate his base so far he gathered 35 billion from Japan and 20 billion from China now he proceed to America for some Investment. You people just wait since we are neighbor we are not going anywhere.