New Delhi: The Indo-Pak NSA-level talks remained in limbo on Saturday but at the end Pakistan blinked, as it has called off the NSA talks with India which was scheduled on Sunday and Monday citing that conditions put forward by India were unacceptable.
Pakistan came to its decision after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj set a midnight deadline for Pakistan to accept that Kashmir would not be be part of the agenda of the talks, and that Pak NSA would not meet Kashmiri separatists in Delhi.
What Pak has to say:
Pakistan has carefully analyzed the contents of the Press Conference of the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Sawaraj this afternoon. We have come to the conclusion that the proposed NSA level talks between the two countries would not serve any purpose, if conducted on the basis of the two conditions laid down by the Minister.
While the Indian Minister accepts that, to ensure durable peace between the two countries, there is a need to discuss all outstanding issues through a sustained dialogue process, started in 1998 as Composite Dialogue and renamed as Resumed Dialogue in 2011, she then unilaterally restricts the agenda to only two items: creating an atmosphere free from terrorism and tranquility on the LoC.
Considering that many terror “incidents” blamed initially by India on Pakistan eventually turned out to be fake, it is not improbable that India can delay the Resumed Dialogue indefinitely by concocting one or two incidents and keeping the LoC hot.
It is equally important to recall that terrorism was always a part of the eight point composite dialogue and it was always discussed simultaneously with other issues between the Interior Secretaries. It is not reasonable for India to now assume the right to decide unilaterally that from now onwards, other issues will be discussed after terrorism has been discussed and eliminated.
The main purpose of any dialogue between India and Pakistan is to reduce tensions and restore trust as a first step towards normalization. If the only purpose of NSA level talks is to discuss terrorism, then instead of improving the prospects for peace it will only intensify the blame game and further vitiate the atmosphere. That is why Pakistan had suggested that apart from discussion on terrorism related issues, the two sides should also discuss modalities and if possible a time schedule, for discussions on all outstanding issues including Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek, in keeping with the understanding of the Ufa statement. That is the only way to improve the prospects for peace between the two countries.
The EAM’s attempt to draw a distinction between preambular and operative paragraphs in the Ufa statement appears to be an after-thought to justify a position that is counterproductive in terms of the ultimate objective of reducing tensions and improving trust.
As regards the second pre-condition regarding meeting with Hurriyat leaders, it has been pointed out repeatedly that it has been a long-standing practice that whenever Pakistani leaders visited India during the past twenty years, they have been meeting Hurriyet leaders. It would be inappropriate for India to now impose the condition of changing this longstanding practice.
Pakistan, therefore, reiterates that the scheduled NSA level talks cannot be held on the basis of the preconditions set by India.
HIGHLIGHTS
We only reiterated that Pakistan respect the spirit of the Simla & Ufa Agreements to which it was already committed.
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 22, 2015
..after-thought to justify a position that is counterproductive in terms of ultimate objective of reducing tensions&improving trust:Pak MoFA
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
Pakistan reiterates that the scheduled NSA level talks cannot be held on the basis of the preconditions set by India: Pak MoFA
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
Meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Pak before ‘Talks’ between India & Pakistan, means they consider them as stakeholders: EAM Sushma Swaraj.
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
No NSA talks doesn't mean India & Pakistan dialogue will cease forever. They (Pak) need to understand what we are saying: EAM Sushma Swaraj.
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
Woh dossier denge,hum zinda aadmi denge: EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/kUstgPgX4z
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
Talks will not happen if Pakistan does not agree with Ufa & Shimla spirit: EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/tAQwYxqS9k
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Woh dossier denge,hum zinda aadmi(Pak terrorist Naveed) denge(They will give us a dossier, we'll give them a live person): EAM Sushma Swaraj
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
There will be no room for third parties, talks will be on terror only: EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/qcrq6cMggT
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
One meeting was between DG BSF and Pak rangers for peace at the border, the other was of DGMOs for ceasefire violations: EAM Sushma Swaraj
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
3 meetings were decided in Ufa, out of which one meeting was 'NSA level talks' on terror: EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/9Jw2BYz4BC
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
Pakistan took 22 days to respond to India’s call for NSA talks. Pakistan has repeatedly derailed composite dialogue. As per Ufa agreement NSAs were supposed to talk only on terror. Composite dialogue did not resume at Ufa. We always say terror and talks can’t go together, but we also say that for any talks to happen there should be an atmosphere free from terror and violence, says Sushma Swaraj
Ufa mein ye sehmati bani ki ek baatcheet aatank par karte hain aur ek seema par shaanti ke liye karte hain: EAM pic.twitter.com/OHmzPxSlaS
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
Us composite dialogue ko hi hindi mein vaarta kehte hain. Baaki jo bhi baatcheet hoti hai, wo sadhaaran baatcheet hai, vaarta nahi hai: EAM
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
We have always maintained that talks can only happen in an atmosphere free of terror and violence: @SushmaSwaraj #NSATalks
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Pakistan has always been reluctant to hold composite dialogue: EAM @SushmaSwaraj #NSATalks pic.twitter.com/oy7mgQqgHF
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Not all the interactions with Pak are dialogues. There is a composite dialogue which is different & has 8 points:EAM @SushmaSwaraj #NSATalks
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz said at a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday that he is still prepared to hold talks with his counterpart Ajit Doval without any pre-conditions.
“We are ready for talks without any pre-conditions. India has not formally cancelled talks, so will go and make the best of it,” Aziz said, addressing the media in Islamabad a day before he is to travel to Delhi for talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Monday.
“It is India which introduced the condition that there should not be a meeting with Hurriyat leaders which is akin to controlling the guest list for the Pakistan reception,” Aziz added.
Aziz also said India must be open to an agenda that includes discussions on Kashmir and alleged Indian interference in Balochistan.
“India cannot wish away Kashmir,” Aziz said, leaving it to India to take the next step.
“The K word is very much in the statement because we agreed to discuss all outstanding issues and everyone knows what is the most important outstanding issue…Kashmir is indirectly there in the statement,” he added.
HIGHLIGHTS
Pak NSA Sartaj Aziz concludes briefing
#NSATalks
pic.twitter.com/n9nWc1djhH
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Will carry dossiers carrying information of RAWs involvement in Pakistan: Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz pic.twitter.com/dD65XDB8yQ
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
PM @narendramodi wants to normalise relations with Pakistan on his terms, Pak NSA Sartaj Aziz, #NSATalks
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
No serious dilaogue is possible with India unless Kashmir is included: Pak Nsa Aziz. #NSATalks pic.twitter.com/n9nWc1djhH
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
India cannot wish away that Kashmir is not an issue. When I go to India I meet different political leaders, when they come they meet opposition and other leaders. It’s strange that they will expect that discussion on meeting with Hurriyat will become part of agenda; it’s not a substantial item. As far as we are concerned we are still ready to hold the talks. We have not formally canceled the talks, Indian EAM is holding a press conference this afternoon, we’ll see what comes out of it: Pak NSA Sartaj Aziz
On my part I’m still prepared to go to New Delhi for NSA talks without any pre condition: Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz
We’re very disturbed about arresting of Hurriyat leaders as it’s a violation of their fundamental rights: Sartaj Aziz
I urge Mr.Modi to ponder over what I call most imp part of Ufa stmnt that India & Pak have collective responsibility to ensure peace:Pak NSA
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Will carry dossiers carrying information of RAWs involvement in Pakistan: Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz
Most important outstanding issue between India, Pak is Kashmir: Sartaj Aziz #NSATalks pic.twitter.com/dlpRJKMoKp
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
The reason for this regretful second cancellation if it happens will be the same: Sartaj Aziz #NSATalks pic.twitter.com/dlpRJKMoKp
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Last year India canceled the talks btw foreign Secy scheduled for 25th August 2014 in Islamabad: Pak #NSA Sartaj Aziz pic.twitter.com/kUZbLUAzVc
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz arrives at venue in Islamabad, will brief the media shortly. pic.twitter.com/hp3iEn3jv8
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 22, 2015
Press Briefing by India, Pakistan
As suspense mounts over Indo-Pak NSA-level talks after both sides hardened their positions on the issue of Kashmiri separatists, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has called a press conference in Delhi on Saturday. Swaraj will address the media at 4pm.
Meanwhile, a day before his scheduled departure for Delhi, Pakistan National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz, too, has called a media meet in Islamabad at 1:30pm (IST).
Shabir Ahmed Shah detained at Delhi Airport
On arriving at IGI Airport on Saturday, Separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah was detained. He was scheduled to meet Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz.
“I have not been informed, when I will be allowed to move,” says Shabir Shah.
Separatist leader Shabir Shah detained at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/d0hwYSehqK
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2015
India stands strict on its point
While India has made it clear to Pakistan that a meeting between the separatists and Aziz was not appropriate, Pakistan reacted strongly to insist that it would not depart from the “established past practice” of interacting with separatist Hurriyat leaders.
India has described the invitation to Hurriyat representatives as a “provocative action” and accused Pakistan of trying to evade its commitment to engage in a substantive discussion on terrorism as had been agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa (Russia) last month.
Complete departure from the Ufa understanding
It said that Islamabad’s insistence on meeting Hurriyat leaders as a pre-condition was a complete departure from the Ufa understanding. Moreover, India has always held the position that there are only two, not three, stakeholders in the bilateral relationship.
Unilateral imposition of new conditions and “distortion of the agreed agenda cannot be the basis for going forward,” External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said on Friday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday said that it was “deeply disappointed” at India putting forth “pre-conditions” for NSA-level talks, accusing it of going back on the decision mutually agreed at the highest level by coming up with “frivolous pretexts”.
“This is the second time that India has chosen to go back on a decision mutually agreed upon between the two Prime Ministers, to engage in a comprehensive dialogue, by coming up with frivolous pretexts,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said.
Earlier on Friday
With Pakistan army taking the centre stage, Pakistan said it will “not take dictation from India,” with its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reportedly asserting in a meeting that there would be no stepping back on Kashmir.
Islamabad on Friday said it will not accept any ‘pre-condition’ of cancelling the meeting between its NSA Sartaj Aziz and the Kashmiri separatist leaders.
“Our meeting with Pak NSA Sartaj Aziz will be on 23rd August at 6pm at Pakistan House in Delhi,” separatist Shabbir Shah said.
Meanwhile reports from PMO said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen on NSA-level talks with Pakistan. Also, Pakistan government sources confirmed that talks with Hurriyat leaders are on.
Earlier, Nawaj Sharif on Friday morning conducted a meeting with his council of ministers, Army and ISI chiefs over the issue.
During the meeting, it was reported, all the members pressed for a meeting between Aziz and the separatist leaders, saying ”all stakeholders must be consulted ahead of the crucial NSA level talks”.
India has emphasised that any meeting between the Kashmiri separatists and the Pakistani delegation either before or after the talks is unacceptable. India has also asked Pakistan to clarify statements that it plans to bring Kashmir into the talks.
Doval meets Rajnath
NSA Ajit Doval had a meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital on Friday. According to reports, the meeting was reported to have focused on the agenda likely to be taken up during talks with Sartaj Aziz.
Friday’s meeting came as the official spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs said that India has advised Pakistan about the inappropriateness of Aziz meeting Hurriyat representatives in New Delhi on August 23.
India committed to talks but Pak has to take a call: MEA
India put the ball in Pakistan’s court over the much-hyped NSA talks, saying that hosting of Kashmiri separatists would be contrary to the Ufa spirit where the two countries had decided to have talks on terror.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said India wanted the talks to happen and had conveyed to Pakistan its agenda three days back, response to which was still awaited.
“We want talks to happen. India is ready for talks. We are committed to the talks. Now it is up to them (Pakistan),” he said.
“We have made it clear to Pakistan that hosting of Kashmiri separatists will be contrary to the spirit of the Ufa understanding. We have conveyed our position on their reported meeting with them (separatists) and sought clarity on the agenda,” he added.
He said India had also communicated to Pakistan the agenda for the NSA talks and was yet to get any response officially.
Tweeting over the issue on Friday morning, Vikas Swaroop said, “India has advised Pakistan yesterday that it would not be appropriate for Sartaz Aziz to meet with Hurriyat representatives in India. Such a meeting would not be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Ufa understanding to jointly work to combat terrorism.”
He also added India has sought a confirmation from Pakistan over the proposed agenda for the NSA level talks that it has conveyed to Pakistani on Aug 18, 2015.
House Arrest
On Friday, separatists Shabir Shah & Syed Ali Shah Geelani were detained and put under house arrest.
On Thursday morning, three Kashmiri separatists were placed under house arrest in Srinagar but were released within two hours.
The brief detention was described by government sources as a signal that “the separatists cannot be a third party to talks,” and they can be detained if they try to meet with the Pakistani delegation.
Ceasefire Violation
The Pakistani invitation, which is seen as yet another “provocation” by Indian side, comes after persistent ceasefire violations as well as two terror attacks in recent weeks in Gurdaspur and Udhampur which many observers see as Pakistan army’s opposition to any discussions with India.
The year 2014
Last year, India had unilaterally called off Foreign Secretary-level talks after the Pakistan High Commissioner here had held “consultations” with the Kashmiri separatist leaders on the eve of FS-level meeting in Islamabad.
Basit speaks out
Significantly, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had last week said his country will not “abandon” the Kashmiris’ “legitimate struggle for freedom”, stressing that to have normal and cooperative relationship with India it was necessary to settle the decades-old dispute.
The bottom line is will India send out a tough message and call Islamabad’s bluff this time around.