Pak PM approves agenda of NSA-level talks with India

The two nations must continue to engage in dialogue for a long-term solution to the problem of terrorism.

Four years after a gaffe over a list of India’s most-wanted fugitives in Pakistan left the UPA government red-faced, the BJP-led government wants to avoid a repeat when the National Security Advisors meet in New Delhi on August 23 and 24.

The agenda finalised by PM Sharif to be given to India with a confirmation letter for the coming talks so that there could be no misunderstanding or ambiguity “about what has to be discussed”.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Aziz, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and other officials were present during the meetings on both the days.

The sources said that the revival of Pakistan-India foreign secretary-level talks and Pakistan’s concerns over the grant of bail to the main accused in 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts case are also expected to be taken up by Sartaj Aziz with the Indian security advisor. The government has made it clear that Pakistan must top backing terror groups from planning attacks against India from its soil for any talks to succeed.

Moreover, he said, the recent statements by Afghan officials, including President Ashraf Ghani, about Pakistan’s alleged role in sponsoring terrorism inside Afghanistan were also discussed.

The Congress on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be ashamed of the incessant violation of India’s territorial integrity by a belligerent Pakistan and killing of civilians as well as soldiers.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believes that dialogue is the only option to peacefully resolve issues”, he added.

As far as the Pakistani allegation of Indian support for acts of terror within Pakistan, Islamabad has so far been unable to provide any credible information to New Delhi-or indeed to its allies like the United States and China-that substantiate this explosive charge.

In a big move, Pakistan’s foreign policy chief will visit India for security talks on August 23, he said on Thursday, in the rivals’ first attempt in months to restart efforts to improve ties despite intermittent violence on their border.