JOIN USIndia has set clear terms for talks with Pakistan, outlining a five-point agenda and asking the neighbouring country to stop exporting terror and inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi has made it clear that if Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar visits Islamabad for talks with his Pakistani counterpart A A Chaudhry, the discussion should focus on the progress made in bringing to justice the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot terrorist attacks.
In a strongly-worded response to Pakistan’s offer for talks with India, New Delhi also stated that it would like to know when the neighbouring country will vacate the territories of Jammu and Kashmir it has been illegally occupying.
Jaishankar wrote to Chaudhry, accepting the invitation for a visit to Islamabad, but made it clear that “the discussions should focus first on the more pressing aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir situation”, according to Vikas Swarup, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Swarup quoted from Jaishankar’s letter to Chaudhry while interacting with journalists on Thursday.
Jaishankar conveyed to Chaudhry that the discussion must include cessation of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan and ending incitement to violence in the Valley. He also proposed that the talks should include the progress made by the Pakistan government in detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised terrorists, who have been active in Pakistan in exhorting and supporting violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaishankar also wanted a discussion on closing down terror camps in Pakistan where militants like Bahadur Ali, who was recently arrested in the state, continued to be trained for attacks against India.
New Delhi also recalled the signing of the Simla Agreement in 1972 and Lahore Declaration of 1999 by leaders of both the countries to resolve bilateral disputes within the framework of the two documents. “The world is aware that Pakistan has a long history of violence and terrorism against India, as also in the broader region,” Swarup said.
The letter also recalled the repeated attempts made by Pakistan against India, sending armed raiders to Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and 1965, infiltration of military personnel across the Line of Control at Kargil and continued support of terrorist activities.
Pakistan has been raising its pitch on the ongoing violence in Kashmir, stressing on rights violation by security forces, particularly during the crackdown on agitators following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.