NEW DELHI, Sept 8: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today did not rule out the possibility of India and Pakistan resuming their talks called off by New Delhi recently and Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York this month.
“There is no full stop in diplomacy,” Ms Swaraj said, when asked about the future of Indo-Pak talks, which were cancelled in Islamabad on August 25, in the wake of India taking a firm stand against Pakistan entertaining Kashmiri separatist leaders.
When asked, whether Mr Modi would be meeting Mr Sharif in New York on the margins of the UNGA session, since there have been some positive gestures from both sides after the bitterness created over the Foreign Secretary level talks, the Minister said she could not say anything in advance and she would respond “as things develop”.
She, however, said “We are not going with a predetermined mindset”.
Ms Swaraj, at the same time, strongly reiterated the Indian stand over Pakistan involving Kashmiri separatist leaders in the bilateral issues.
Ms Swaraj, while replying to a question, at her first media briefing on the completion of 100 days of the Government, said there was no flaw in the new Government’s stand on Pakistan.
She pointed out that on Mr Modi’s initiative, Pakistan Prime Minister came here and there were very good talks between the two leaders, and later the two Foreign Secretaries spoke over phone and talks were scheduled, but their action in taking to separatists was not conducive for talks. “We told them not to go ahead with it, and what they achieved?,” she said.
Earlier, in her initial remarks, she said, “We had clearly told them that either you should talk to us or to them (Kashmiri separatist)”.
Answering another question on delay in the trial of 25/11 accused, the Minister expressed disappointment with the time being taken in bringing the culprits to book. “We have asked them several times to show some progress. We are of course disappointed,” she said on whether Pakistan’s attitude towards the trail was not disappointing.
Replying to a question on frequent ceasefire violation on the border, she said the DGMOs have held a meeting, and if needed, more talks will be held.
To another question, she said “India will talk only to the Pakistan Government, and not to Army or any other entity”. (UNI)
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