- New Delhi welcomes Nawaz Sharif’s hand of friendship but wants LoC issues resolved first
- Demands action against Hafiz Saeed, alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks
India on Tuesday said it would not hold talks with Pakistan until issues related to the Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire violations and the alleged killing of five Indian soldiers were not addressed.
During a news conference, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin welcomed a recent statement by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in which he called for a “new beginning” in relations with India.
The spokesman said Nawaz’s comments were defined by peace and cooperation, but Pakistan to respond to New Delhi’s concerns first.
“We welcome Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s hand of friendship. However, we want to tell Pakistan that there will be no talks if Islamabad fails to respond to New Delhi’s concerns.”
“When there is unprovoked firing along the LoC, naturally there will be consequences for bilateral ties.”
Akbaruddin said India wanted an environment free of terror, adding that the events of last week did not fit into that.
He also called upon Pakistan to take action against Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Akbaruddin said maintaining peace along the LoC was one of the most important confidence building measures (CBMs) between the two countries, hence it was important for Pakistan to stop allowing its soil to be used for launching terror attacks against India.
Tension between Pakistan and India escalated along the LoC after New Delhi alleged that the Pakistan Army had killed five Indian soldiers.
The allegation was denied by the Pakistan Army and Foreign Office.
On Monday, India violated the ceasefire along the LoC at three locations by opening unprovoked fire.
The deputy high commissioner to Pakistan was summoned to the Foreign Office where he was informed of Islamabad’s concern over the repeated ceasefire violations. India again violated the LOC on Tuesday by opening firing at Pakistani positions.
Last week, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was stormed by supporters of the Congress Party’s Youth Wing and the Lahore-bound friendship bus was stopped by protestors in Amritsar.
PIA offices in Bombay and New Delhi were also ransacked on Sunday by Shiv Sena extremists.