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India and Pakistan on Tuesday indulged in some plain speaking on bilateral issues with the neighbouring country being firmly asked not to be in denial over the impact of terrorism on bilateral ties while Pakistan harped on Kashmir terming it as the core issue.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry met for nearly 90 minutes, during which sticky issues -- including probe into Pathankot terror attack, 26/11 trial and Samjhauta Express blast investigations -- figured.
Today’s meeting between Jaishankar and Chaudhry, who is primarily in New Delhi to attend the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference, was the first formal interaction since their scheduled talks were deferred in the wake of the Pathankot attack in January.
During the meeting, India raised the issue of ‘abduction’ of former Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, saying he has been taken to Pakistan, and sought immediate consular access. This is for the first time India has categorically said Jadhav was abducted.
However, in its statement, Pakistan said it raised ‘capturing’ of Jadhav and expressed serious concern over Research and Analysis Wing’s alleged involvement in subversive activities in Balochistan and Karachi, a charge which was strongly rebutted by India.
‘India’s foreign secretary emphasised the need for early and visible progress on the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the Mumbai case trial in Pakistan. He also brought up the listing of JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed) leader Masood Azhar in the United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee.
‘Foreign Secretary Jaishankar clearly conveyed that Pakistan cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship. Terrorist groups based in Pakistan targeting India must not be allowed to operate with impunity,’ a statement by the External Affairs Ministry said after the talks.
On its part, the Pakistani statement said Chaudhry brought up the issue of Kashmir emphasising that it remained the ‘core issue that requires a just solution in accordance with UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolutions and wishes of Kashmiri people’.
Interestingly, the Pakistani side released the talking points while the meeting between the two foreign secretaries was still on.
The statement by Pakistan also said, ‘In line with our PM’s vision of peaceful neighborhood, the FS underscored Pakistan’s commitment to have friendly relations with all its neighbors/India. All outstanding issues including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute were discussed.’
Describing the discussions as ‘frank and constructive’, India said humanitarian issues including those pertaining to fishermen and prisoners, and people to people contacts including religious tourism were also covered.
‘The two foreign secretaries exchanged ideas on taking the relationship forward and agreed to remain in touch,’ the MEA said.
According to Pakistan High Commission, Chaudhry also expressed serious concern over RAW’s alleged involvement in subversive activities in Balochistan and Karachi. The allegations were firmly rebutted by Jaishankar.
In the context of Jadhav, the Indian foreign secretary also asked which spy agency would put their agent in the field with their own passport, and without a visa.
On Samjhauta Express blast, Chaudhry conveyed concerns ‘over efforts by Indian authorities for the release of the prime suspects of the Samjhauta Express blasts’.
‘The foreign secretary further pointed out that, despite repeated requests India has not shared investigation reports in which 42 Pakistanis had lost their lives
‘He also conveyed concern over the environment being created in India for the release of the prime suspects of the Samjhauta Express blasts,’ the Pakistan High Commission said.
The Pakistan High Commission said Chaudhry expressed confidence that building on the goodwill generated by the recent high level contacts, the two countries should remain committed to a sustained, meaningful and comprehensive dialogue process.
In this spirit, the foreign secretary underscored the need for early commencement of comprehensive dialogue for which the Indian Foreign Secretary's visit to Pakistan is due, it said.