Pakistan, Indian foreign secretaries meet in New Delhi

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry expressed his reservation over the presence of RAW agents on Pakistan soil, as he met his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi today on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference.

The Pakistan Foreign secretary raised the issue of Indian spy agency RAW’s subversive actions in Balochistan, including the arrest of Kulbushun Yadav, an Indian Naval officer from the province. “Such acts undermine efforts to normalize relations between the two countries,” Chaudhry said.

The meeting discussed bilateral issues that affect the two countries. “All outstanding issues including Kashmir came under discussion between the two foreign secretaries,” said a spokesman for the Pakistan High Commission in India.

The Foreign Secretary emphasized that Kashmir remains the core issue that requires a just solution, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan expressed its wish to maintain healthy relations with its neighbour India. “In line with our Prime Minister's vision of a peaceful neighbourhood, the Foreign Secretary underscored Pakistan's commitment to have friendly relations with all its neighbours, including India,” the Pakistan High Commission statement said.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was also present in the meeting.

According to a spokesperson for the Foreign Office, the foreign secretary also conveyed concern over the environment being created in India for the release of the prime suspects of the Samjhauta Express blasts.

"Despite repeated requests, India has not shared investigation reports in which 42 Pakistanis had lost their lives," the foreign secretary pointed out.

Aizaz Chaudhry also expressed the confidence that, "building on the goodwill generated by the recent high level contacts, the two countries should remain committed to a sustained, meaningful and comprehensive dialogue process.

"He underscored the need for early commencement of comprehensive dialogue for which the Indian Foreign Secretary's visit to Pakistan is due," said the Foreign Office spokesperson.

The meeting between the top diplomats of the neighbouring countries comes after a hiatus of several months following a militant attack on the Indian air base at Pathankot.

The meeting between the foreign secretaries sought to restore a dialogue that was disrupted since the Pathankot incident.

A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said S.Jaishankar emphasised on "the need for early and visible progress on the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the Mumbai case trial".

The Indian Foreign Secretary also stressed on "the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship" between the neighbouring countries.

The Indian diplomat also pressed for immediate consular access to Kulbhushan Yadav, the RAW agent captured planning subversive activities in Karachi and Balochistan.

Pakistan making sincere efforts for Afghan peace: FO

Earlier today, the Foreign Office said Pakistan is making sincere efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

In a statement in reaction to a speech by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakariya said, “Pakistan is making serious efforts for cooperation in the Afghan peace process.”

He said Pakistan hosted the first round of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. However, he said, Pakistan alone is not responsible for bringing the Taliban back to the table.

He said the Quadrilateral Coordination Group was constituted to achieve the objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The spokesman added that peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan, adding that Pakistan supports peace and stability in the neighbouring country.

Pakistan strongly condemned Kabul blasts, the spokesman said, adding that peace cannot be achieved through violence and bloodshed.

Zakariya said Pakistan itself is the biggest victim of terrorism. Thousands of our security personnel have sacrificed their lives in war on terror, he added.