Headlines
NSA talks axing: Disappointing, don't repeat mistakes, say Indian leaders
New Delhi, Aug 23
There were mixed reactions
from Indian political leaders on Sunday to Pakistan's decision to call
off the NSA-level talks with some calling it "unfortunate" and
"disappointing" while some warning against similar tactics in any future
engagement.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed as "unfortunate"
Pakistan's decision to call off the NSA-level talks and asked why the
country had not raised the Kashmir issue at Ufa if it was so keen to do
so during the scheduled talks here, while the Congress accused the
government of falling prey to Pakistani designs.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, he said India wanted the talks and "it is unfortunate" that Pakistan called them off.
Stressing
Kashmir was never on the agenda of the proposed meeting between
National Security Advisers Sartaj Aziz of Pakistan and Ajit Doval of
India, he said if Pakistan was so keen on raising the Kashmir issue, why
didn't it do so at Ufa where the decision on the NSA-level talks was
taken.
"They should have fixed the agenda beforehand. Kashmir was
never on the talks agenda," he said, adding that the possibility of any
future dialogue will depend on Pakistan.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed expressed disappointment over
cancellation of the talks but hoped the two neighbours will re-engage
soon in a meaningful dialogue, while his predecessor Farooq Abdullah
told media persons in Jammu that the two countries can have talks in a
neutral venue.
On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party leader
Yashwant Sinha said India should not engage with Pakistan till it was
"absolutely certain" about the outcome.
Sinha, a former external affairs minister, told news channel CNN-IBN that not talking to Pakistan will not lead to war.
Meanwhile,
Janata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav told reporters in Patna that
cancellation of the NSA-level talks reflected failure of "our foreign
policy", while Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi alleged that the
government's approach lacked focus and provided Pakistan an opportunity
to wriggle out of discussing the serious issue of terrorism.
"It
is unfortunate that the government, due to its less preparation and its
not taking concrete steps, allowed Pakistan to act on its designs and
fell prey. It (the government) should have been alert. They should have
had prior information and should have prepared a plan so that Pakistan
does not succeed," Singhvi said.
He also slammed Pakistan and
said the country wants to run away from all issues relating to terrorism
and does not want exchange of information particularly on those serious
matters on which it can be cornered.
The August 23-24 NSA talks
between India and Pakistan were finally called off on Saturday, with
both sides sticking to their positions - India on keeping only terrorism
on the agenda and no meeting with Kashmir separatist leaders and
Pakistan pressing for discussiong Kashmir too and insisting on meeting
the leaders.
In a late night statement on Saturday, the Pakistan
Foreign Office said it has "come to the conclusion that the NSA talks
would not serve any purpose if conducted on the basis of the two
conditions" laid down by India.
The Pakistan High Commission had
invited Hurriyat leaders for a reception on August 23 and Aziz had
planned to separately meet Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah
Geelani.