India objects to Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz meeting Kashmiri separatists ahead of NSA-level talks

On Friday morning, the Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, in a statement, “India has advised Pakistan yesterday that it would not be appropriate for Mr. Sartaj Aziz to meet with Hurriyat representatives during his visit to India as it would not be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Ufa understanding to jointly work to combat terrorism.”

The two sides are also differing on the agenda for the talks. The MEA spokesperson also said, “We have also sought confirmation of our understanding of the agenda for the NSA-level talks that was conveyed to the Pakistani side on 18 August 2015.”

While the Indian side wanted to talk on terrorism — as agreed in Ufa between the two Prime Ministers — but the Pakistan side wanted to discuss “all contentious issues, including Jammu & Kashmir”.

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As reported by The Indian Express on Thursday, Pakistan High Commission spokesperson had said that “Terrorism and other contentious issues, which are in the domain of the NSAs, will be taken up. This includes destabilisation in FATA, Balochistan, Karachi… all these issues will be taken up forcefully and effectively by Pakistan.”

With the two sides taking extreme positions, the talks are expected to take place only if one side retreats. This is similar to last August, when India had cancelled the Foreign secretary level talks over Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s meeting with Hurriyat leaders.

“The ball is now in Pakistan’s court,” an Indian official told The Indian Express on Friday morning.