KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The much important NSA talks between Pakistan and India were finally called off on Saturday late evening, with both sides sticking to their positions.
In a late night statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office said it has “come to the conclusion that the NSA talks would not serve any purpose if conducted on the basis of the two conditions” laid down by India.
In reply, India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted: “Pakistan’s decision is unfortunate. India did not set any preconditions.
We only reiterated that Pakistan respect the spirit of the Simla & Ufa Agreements to which it was already committed,” he said.
Meanwhile, separatist leaders have described the cancellation of the NSA-level Indo-Pak talks as “unfortunate and termed it as a lost opportunity for both the countries”.
“It is unfortunate and another opportunity has been lost,” Hurriyat Conference (m) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was quoted as having said. “Kashmir is main issue between India and Pakistan and it would continue to remain so till it is resolved. Kashmiris are the third party and the people of Kashmir will not accept any red lines.”
