Talks and terror can’t go together says BJP

Pakistan may have finally agreed to honour the bilateral understanding for NSA-level talks, but that has not calmed the apprehension in New Delhi about the intent of the estranged neigbour, especially that it may use the occasion for grandstanding for the domestic audience.

Pointing out that no one can dictate terms to the country, the BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said here that ‘talks between National Security Advisors of the two countries were not prime ministerial level talks, but these were talks on the issue of terror. Pakistan’s refuge to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, the demand for a speedy trial of suspects in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and a Pakistani terrorist’s capture in Udhampur are among the key issues to be raised by India at the talks.

On Thursday, Sartaz confirmed that he would visit India on August 23 for the talks.

“Although the security talks are not the revival of the Composite Dialogue, the meeting would be “ice-breaking” as we will hold discussions on some important issues”, Aziz said.

Patra attributed the raising of ISIS flags in the Valley and spurt in incidents of cross border firing to Pakistan ISI’s plan to destabilize BJP governments both at the Centre and in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asserting that “Pakistan has always wanted to have a normal and cooperative relationship with India”, he said, “To this end, it was necessary to settle all outstanding issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to improve relations”.

“A protest was lodged against (the) decision of the Indian National Investigation Agency not to contest bail granted to Swami Aseemanand”, the Pakistan foreign ministry said in a statement after India’s deputy high commissioner J.P. Singh was summoned.

The NSA level talks between Ajit Doval and his Pak counterpart Sartaj Aziz are scheduled to be held in Delhi on the 23rd and 24th of this month.

Pakistan is expected to iterate these concerns when Aziz meets Doval, who in turn will point out that a principal accused in the Mumbai terror strikes, Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, is also out on bail and Islamabad has not challenged that decision. A Pakistani Foreign Office official had said Pakistan is aware of India’s agenda to highlight the issue of terrorism and planning is being done to counter it.