Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday admitted that though the ‘resolution of all outstanding issues’ was preamble to the Ufa agreement with Pakistan, India had made it clear on August 18 that the scheduled meeting between national security advisers will only discuss issues related to terrorism.
“No other topic will come under discussion,” she said.
The Indian foreign minister said that outstanding issues, including Kashmir, are part of the composite dialogue between the two countries but the composite dialogue has not yet resumed.
Referring to the invitation extended to Hurriyat leaders from India-held Kashmir for a reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Swaraj said India has always maintained that there will be no third-party in Indo-Pak talks. “Hurriyat cannot be a party,” she added.
The Indian foreign minister said that the incumbent ruling government had come under immense internal pressure after repeated attacks and exchanges of fire between Indo-Pak troops along the Line of Control and Working Boundary but the government had still decided to go ahead with the talks.
“Terror and talks are not possible but talks on terror desirable,” she added.
Swaraj said that Sartaj Aziz was more than welcome to visit New Delhi as long as no other issue apart from terrorism is discussed and no third party is included in the talks between the two countries.
