No major breakthrough is expected in talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh today (Sunday) as the latter told the UN General Assembly that while he reciprocated Nawaz’s sentiments on forging a new beginning, the epicentre of terrorism located in Pakistan was a major hindrance in improving relations between the two countries.
Addressing the audience during the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations, Singh said that state sponsored cross border terrorism was of particular concern to India.
“It is important that the terrorist machinery that draws its sustenance from Pakistan be shut down,” he said.
Asserting that he wanted all issues with Pakistan to be resolved, he claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and that the country will never compromise on its territorial integrity.
“For progress to be made, it is imperative that the territory of Pakistan and the areas under its control are not utilised for aiding and abetting terrorism directed against India,” Singh said, adding that he was looking forward to meeting with Nawaz on Sunday.
NAWAZ DEJECTED: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that he had highlighted the Kashmir issue during his address to the UN General Assembly in a bid to remind the UN that it should implement the resolution passed by its Security Council.
Talking to an Indian TV channel, Nawaz regretted that Singh had used his meeting with US President Barack Obama to malign Pakistan and make false accusations against the country.
“Singh acted like a village woman when he complained against Pakistan to the US. If India has issues with Pakistan, it should take them up with us, not America,” he told India’s NDTV.
In spite of Singh’s tirade against Pakistan, Nawaz said he would still try to bring India and Pakistan closer during his meeting with Singh. The premier said that he would renew his invitation to his Indian counterpart for visiting Pakistan, and that while terror attacks were extremely unfortunate, they should not derail the dialogue process.
Noting that increased tensions along LoC was a matter of concern, Nawaz said that during his meeting with Singh, he will propose a joint mechanism or independent mechanism to monitor what’s happening along the contentious border.
“We propose our foreign secretaries & DGMOs meet separately to discuss LoC tensions.”
NO MFN, NO JOINT DECLARATION: Sources privy to the developments taking place in New York told Pakistan Today that the Pakistani government had decided to put on hold granting of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India until a new government takes charge in New Delhi. “It’s also unlikely that a joint press conference of the two leaders would be arranged after the two leaders’ meeting. A joint declaration regarding the meeting is also not expected,” said the sources. They said that in backdoor negotiations Pakistan had proposed India to get the violations of Line of Control ceasefire investigated by the UN but India had rejected the suggestion. “The Pakistani side then asked their Indian counterparts to propose what other option they thought would help in removing their mistrust in Islamabad,” they added.
India’s rigid stance dampens hopes for peace
