Hardening its stance over alleged border crossfire, India has decided to put talks with Pakistan “on freeze” and official meetings will not be held until September end, sources said on Monday.
However, there is a possibility of a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. And a call will be taken on how to proceed on dialogue process after that meeting, official sources said.
They said India would not respond to the suggested dates for water secretary-level meeting, as well as dates for the joint commission, which were to be held in September.
No dates for possible home secretary-level talks are being considered now, which were earlier proposed to be held in October, the sources added.
The decision has been taken in the backdrop of the killing of five Indian soldiers on the Line of Control and incessant ceasefire violations over the past few days.
With India’s government on the backfoot since the opposition has been critical during parliament session, New Delhi is keen to not be seen too be weak in response as far as relations with Pakistan are concerned.