Indo-Pak Foreign Secy talks deferred

Not desirous of conveying an impression that bitterness had crept into Government-to-Government consultation following the terror attack on the Indian Air Force base, both New Delhi and Islamabad on Thursday sought to convey that rescheduling of talks to another date was a bilateral decision. The Foreign Secretary level talks were scheduled to take place on 15-16 January in Islamabad. This was decided after Prime Minister Modi visited his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on 25 December. 

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Thursday said, “Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. They agreed to reschedule the talks for the near future.” Swarup also said National Security Advisors of both the countries are in regular touch and that India is waiting for the investigation team from Pakistan to come to Pathankot and assured it of extending full support.

Swarup welcomed the statement issued by Pakistan regarding the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members for their alleged involvement in the Pathankot terror attack. “We welcome the positive step by Pakistan in the Pathankot attack probe,” said the MEA spokesperson. 

Swarup said that India has taken cognizance of Pakistan forming a committee to look into Pathankot attack. He said Pakistan government on Wednesday conveyed that “considerable progress” has been made in the probe against terrorist elements linked to the Pathankot strike.

“We also note that the government of Pakistan is considering sending a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the attack. We are looking for the credible and comprehensive action to bring all the perpetrators of Pathankot terror attack to justice,” said Swarup. 

He, however, maintained that there was no information regarding the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. On being asked if the National security Advisors of both the countries have spoken on the phone, Swarup said the NSAs have been in regular touch and that New Delhi looked forward to the visit of Pakistan’s SIT. “Our investigative agencies will extend all necessary cooperation,” said Swarup.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan said that the Foreign Secretary-level talks will not take place as scheduled in the wake of uncertainty created by the terror attack on the Pathankot air base. Pakistan Foreign office said that it was not aware about detention of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar, the suspected mastermind of the Pathankot attack. 

Speaking in Islamabad, Foreign office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said, “The Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan will not be held tomorrow. Mutual consultations are on about rescheduling the talks.”