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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Satraj Aziz, on Wednesday said India was avoiding dialogue with Pakistan because that meant issues such as Kashmir will have to be negotiated, reported Radio Pakistan.
Contradicting Indian premier Narendra Modi's recent statement in which he placed the onus of stalled talks on Pakistan, Aziz asserted Pakistan was not refraining from talks with its neighbour.
He said Pakistan had plans for extensive talks with India on issues such as Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, economic cooperation, trade, visas and the detainment of fishermen, amongst others.
Aziz went on to say the Indian Army had rejected an earlier agreement regarding Siachen between the two governments, as they had “stakes” in the glacier.
The adviser had earlier said he was doubtful of progress towards the normalisation of ties between the two south Asian rivals, and suggested that the situation be managed to prevent tensions.
He had also credited Pakistan's diplomatic efforts for India’s failed membership bid of the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG).
In a recent interview, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that due to his diplomatic efforts, the world had seen India was not reluctant to engage with Pakistan.
“Our approach has created difficulties for Pakistan, and they find it hard to respond on the matter in the international community,” said Modi.
Modi claimed there are “different types of forces operating in Pakistan”, and asked rhetorically if one has to draw a line or set conditions for dialogue, will it be “with the elected government or other actors?”
After Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan in December last year, the Pakistani and Indian foreign secretaries were scheduled to meet to discuss modalities regarding the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue agreed upon during Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference in December.
However, the attack on an Indian Airforce base in Pathankot in January this year proved as a big blow for any prospects of constructive dialogue between the neighbouring countries.
Comments (77) Closed
they will never be able to negotiate on the Kashmir issue because it will always ,under just circumstances be a minus one solution (bad deal) for the Indians
Sooner or later Kashmiris would get their right of self determination whether someone likes it or not. How long India will deny them their fundamental right to decide their own future?
The whole world believes and follows the advise and comments of Mr. Aziz because he speaks plain truth nothing else!!! Still Pakistan is getting isolated globally......
What happened to his dossiers? What action is UN taking on India?
Why should India discuss with Pakistan's civilian government when it appears that the Pakistan army is in charge of its policies regarding India? At best both countries should take measures to check tensions against each other.
Good. Now convince members of NSG.
Yes, So what are you going to do about it?
Sartaj Aziz is the best foreign affairs advisor in pakistan's history. He always checkmates india's diplomatic response. And i am indian.
Time to move on.
dont go for UN resolution. we will lose
@S.R.
Very true
@IS IT SO SIMPLE Most of the countries around the world will disagree with you...and I'm a Pakistani.
What is there to "negotiate" on Kashmir??
He is true in saying that india avoids dialogue because on as per UN, india has to organise plebicite in kashmir . Modi is just playing tactics. He is not interested in meaningful dialogue.
First point mentioned on UN resolution on Kashmir is withdrawal of Pakistan forces from Pakistan side of Kashmir. Has Pakistan done that ??
talk for what ? ...
@Shakti Oberoi - Freedom!
Sartaj Aziz is best Foreign Minister in this world. Every week he put smile on my face with his comments on everything related to India. I wish Pakistan elect him in every election and he will be Foreign Minister of Pakistan for ever.
If with your excellent diplomacy you can block India from getting NSG member why can't use same to bring India on talking table.
Once India enters in NSG and UNSC will talk about Kashmir.
@Mullas - Read first!
@Desi Dimag - No UNSC deserved before Kashmir resolution.
@shubs Only, Indians knows the meaning of word negotiation.
Talking and fighting for last 70 years. There must be better things to do in our life time.
@Harmony-1© UN Resolution applies to Pakistan held Kashmir first.
Modi's Theater-ics(Foreign Policy) won't bring durable peace to region, Kashmir issue must be taken into account very seriously.
Indian occupied kashmir is a disputed territory. It's in India own interests to come on negotiating table and resolve this issue once for all via talks. Failing that, other options would be determental to the rest of India.
For the purpose of peace,stability & development in both India & pakistan , Pakistani people needs to disapprove of their politicians repeating the old rhetoric.
Status-quo is best solution of the day, if pakistan is not happy with this & continues to bolster militancy as it has been for decades, it is very likely to even lose Kashmir occupied by itself.
@Taimoor khan Absolutely right.
Modi has not delivered in his time as PM. He realised his policy in dealing with pakistan is total failure. So he hurls blame on Pakistan to divert attention. RSS has ruined his Prime Ministership.
Both countries should first create conducive climate for talks. India-Pakistan tension should be diffused through effective diplomatic efforts leveling ground for meaningful dialogue. Lack of confidence and trust continues to keep the two countries on a course of collision. To resolve Kashmir requires bold decisions by the two countries' leadership. Peace between India and Pakistan can bring peace, progress and prosperity for the peoples of the two nuclear nations. Kashmir has no military solution, it requires the very fine art of diplomacy to be deployed to resolve it.
@Abbas Naqvi Completely agree...for the initial peace talks to begin, Pak has to identify the real player for the talks. That is what Modi is saying. PM Modi put in a his entire political capital by inviting the Pak PM for his swearing in and again flying into the Pak territory. But I guess he is frustrated that the real stake holders on Pak side are playing havoc with the peace process and giving up on it. Which is not good for relations. PM Modi is the only PM in past 30 yrs who has full mandate in India and he is the best chance for peace as he can sell his decisions to Indian public with ease. it would be tragedy if Pak does not fully capitalize on this historical opportunity.
I am an Indian and I think Kashmir should be amputated from India. Let the people who are currently in that region decide what they want to do..join Pakistan or remain independent. India must stop all relations , including trade with that part of the world. Complete economic blockade must be exercised. Not even a single grain must go from India after the amputation . Kashmir is just sucking major defense budget without giving anything back to the nation. Once there used to be good tourism , that is history anyway. Why should India carry the Kashmir baggage. All states must draw a referendum and cut Kashmir from mainland India.
I disagree with Aziz statement regarding diplomatic efforts that foiled India NSG membership award. The reason was very clear from the beginning that it was non-singing of NPT that turns out to be a major hurdle for India.
This back and forth finger pointing and blaming will never ever resolve any issues. Both sides need to take a step back and figure out whats best for India and Pakistan and the people. Both sides have issues, both sides have their own reasoning for stalled talks, both sides claim to be ready. Both sides need to stop issuing statements that push the peace process further away. WE THE PEOPLE want peace, thats all, nothing less.
What we need is the younger generation to rise up and take the bull by the horns, its the same ol same ol for decades, need fresh ideas that focus on people for a change rather than land that neither side owns but claims to be theirs. In my personal and humble opinion, the peace talks focus should be about India and Pakistan, need to quit using excuses to keep delaying talks. This is 2016, its about time we start coming up all the reasons for peace, for the people, remember the people? The whole reason to form a separate country called Pakistan? Whatever happened to that idea? Why did it became all about Kashmir?
I couldn't agree more with the minister. India just wants to kill innocent civilians in Kashmir, but in the end, freedom will be there inshallah.
100 percent true.
Truth has to finally prevail and Kashmiris will be a separate nation.India must follow the civilised rule of referendum to find out the desire of the Kashmiri people. The world is changing,even Scotland doesn't want to stay in UK after Leave referendum as they want to Remain in EU.So no more talk please and go for the inspiration of Kashmiris thru referendum as practiced in today's world.
What will be fate of muslims living in india if Kashmir joins Pakistan or is independent like land locked Afganistan.
don't know why people of India n Pakistan fight for us.if we really need freedom or else we will u dont need to worry.
India and Israel right wing parties are molded from the same matter. Both say we do not have the right person on the other side to negotiate with while continuing with the brutal occupation and oppression of people in Kashmir and Palestine. No wonder both of them are now close friends.
@Sunil UN resolution applies to All of kashmir nation, Azad kashmir and Indian occupied Kashmir. Stop frauding.
@Zak has Pakistan vacated their part of Kashmir genius
@Taimoor khan We will see.. :)
@Zak Sunil is right UN resolution first applies over Kasmiris occupied Kashmir. Why cant you answer that...
@Zak -- UN resolution is not mandatory.
@lafanga , Do you know that your brother country Turkey is now best friend of Israel?
@M Jamal , What about Balochistan?
@Zak, read the resolution yourself first, Genius.
Dialogue for what? Neither side is willing to give an inch of land to the other. No government on either side will survive if they do. Neither can forcefully take it from the other.
@Taimoor khan there are no other options.
This attitude is sinking Pakistan.... it shows no responsibility of its own
@Taimoor khan Thank you for your advice
Sartaj Sahab, why would India discuss Kashmir with you when Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India?
@Saifullah what about Baluchistan?
@IndiaFirst , I as a Pakistani agree with you , let them ( the kashmiris ) decide so both countries can move with lightening speed towards progress ..
Negotiation or Hand over
Any new and innovative solution ?
@IS IT SO SIMPLE Can you elaborate, and you know the meaning of checkmate mate?
@Saifullah That will never happen that India lets go of Kashmir. You can keep dreaming forever.
Who is running Pakistan, please decide and then think of negotiations.
@anony When will the end come?
@Zak Its you people keep screaming about UN Resolution, so why not start from Your Kashmir then Indian Kashmir.
@KK Iftikhari Doesnt Pakistan and China too occupy part fo J&K? For your knowledge, Gilgit and Baltistan are part of J&K are under Pakistan occupation and China's occupied part of Kashmir is called Aksai Chin.
In your opinion India should talk with which Sharif , Rahil sharif or nawaz sharif...
Pakistan Govt has no control over anything.
None can part with any territory. Better to understand this and move one. Alternatively, go on issuing meaning less quotes. If peace is to be there, the status quo is the only answer. Talks on trade will bring the people together.
I think Pakistan should focus on getting rid itself of religious extremism, poverty and lack of education. It can do this by having a meaningful dialogue with India. Once these issues are tackled then they can focus on Kashmir and everything else that goes with it. i am not sure why pakistan is prioritising Kashmir over peace and prosperity of its own people.
The only reason US and EU listen to modi is because of the business. Other then this everybody sees india as the troublemaker with all of its neighbors. India will face similar rejection while asking for a permanent membership of UNSC
@Anand Pakistani forces are on Kashmir border for indian army, not inside Kashmir. indian forces are on every road street and ally of kashmir for suppressing Kashmiri people, Look at Kashmiri celebrations on 14Aug and Black days on 15Aug..still need a proof? why you are trying to settle more hindus in kashmir? for UN referrendum you are trying to change the percentage of muslim: hindu
The point withdrawal of forces is for you. Dont know where do you get this information!!
@IndiaFirst Where does the water comes from? check how many rivers flow from kashmir into india and Pakistan.. Do a basic google search before speaking such talking.
@Hassan Actually without signing NPT and CTBT india has already managed 2008 exemptions from NSG and the wavers are supporting them to trade anyways without being a member.
@Vorshal UN resolution is not mandatory??!! then UNSC membership and NSG membership is also not mandatory dude!
Such negative and arrogant indian attitude is the cause of your diplomatic failure!
Some one should advise the adviser to take the matter to the UN with commitment, through Ms Maliha Lodhi. Pakistan's foreign office's repeated statements about India not talking to Pakistan is becoming more and more embarrassing.
Cross horns between both states is the genetically issue which never resolved and will be resolved unless India shows highly flexible attitude toward Pakistan.
Janab, Kashmir is non negotiable. Everything else is negotiable.