KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
After skipping mentioning Kashmir in a joint statement in Russia and later deciding to handle Kashmir through backchannel diplomacy, Pakistan has now said that no talks with India will be held unless Kashmir issue is on the agenda.
This was stated by adviser to the Pakistan prime minister’s advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, dispelling the impression that Kashmir issue was put on the back burner during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Ufa.
He said that the date for his meeting with the Indian counterpart is yet to be finalised but both countries are in touch through diplomatic channels in this regard.
He said meeting between the two premiers was not the formal start of any dialogue process but it served an important purpose to achieve an understanding that both neighbours must reduce tensions and hostility in order to constructively engage in a structured dialogue on all issues of bilateral and regional interest, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, Pakistan government came under heavy criticism for its ‘failure’ to discuss the Kashmir issue at Ufa, Russia.
“Issues cannot not be resolved while making it part of the joint statement of an initial contact rather these could be addressed in constructive dialogue…Kashmir issue would be part of our dialogue process and no talks will be held unless the issue of Kashmir is part of the agenda,” Aziz stated in categorical terms.
He stated that the joint statement issued clearly recognises that “India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development. To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues. “Which are those outstanding issues… Kashmir of course tops the list of outstanding issues, but there are also other important issues like Siachen, Sir Creek, Interference and Water,” he said. We would continue to extend political, moral, and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren, he added.
He said that that meeting was aimed at engaging constructively in a structured dialogue on all issues of bilateral and regional interest, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
To a question about postponement of Iftar-Dinner party to Kashmiri leadership being hosted by Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi, Pak foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that it was decided to host on Eid Milan party after Eid.
