Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, who is in New Delhi to attend the Heart of Asia Conference of Senior Officials, held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar on Tuesday.
“All outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute were discussed. The Foreign Secretary emphasised that Kashmir remains the core issue that requires a just solution, in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people,” a Pakistani diplomatic source said. Their discussions were frank and constructive. Both sides raised issues of concern to them.
Sources told The Hindu that Mr. Jaishankar "strongly rebutted" allegations of India's involvement in Balochistan.
"Mr. Jaishankar firmly rebutted allegations of India's involvement in Balochistan or other areas. In this context, he asked which spy agency would put their agent in the field with their own passport, and without a visa", said an official source.
Here are the live updates:
3.00 pm: Mr. Jaishankar firmly rebutted allegations of India's involvement in Balochistan or other areas. In this context, he asked which spy agency would put their agent in the field with their own passport, and without a visa, said an official source.
2:00 pm: The two Foreign Secretaries exchanged ideas on taking the relationship forward and agreed to remain in touch.
1:55 pm: "We pressed for immediate consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, the former naval officer abducted and taken to Pakistan. The discussions also covered humanitarian issues including those pertaining to fishermen and prisoners, and people to people contacts including religious tourism," the Foreign Secretary said.
1:45 pm: Mr. Jaishankar clearly conveyed that Pakistan cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship. Terrorist groups based in Pakistan targeting India must not be allowed to operate with impunity, he said, according to a statement released by MEA.
1:42 pm: Mr. Jaishankar emphasised need for early and visible progress on the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the Mumbai blasts case trial in Pakistan. He also brought up the listing of JeM leader Masood Azhar in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee.
1:40 pm: Pakistan takes up Col. Purohit case during the talks: Pakistan diplomat. Lt. Col. Shrikant Prasad Purohit is an accused in the > Malegaon 2008 blast case .
1:30 pm: After the talks, the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement that Mr. Chaudhry also expressed concern over efforts by Indian authorities for the release of the prime suspects of the Samjhauta Express blasts.
1:10 pm: Pakistan says "took up arrest of RAW officer Kulbhushan Jadav" with Indian Foreign Secretary. Mr. Chaudhry alleges that such subversive work will not help bilateral ties.
2:59 pm: Pakistan FS Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry leaves North Block to take part in the ongoing Heart of Asia conference of Senior Officers at the Hyderabad House.
12:43 pm: Sources say Pakistan's social media team already sent out photographs and comments from Pakistan High Commission and MoFA in Islamabad.
12:26 pm: Suspense building up at the venue of the talks, the meeting has been going on for 90 minutes.
12:24 pm: India-Pakistan bilateral meeting is still going on, diplomats tell The Hindu .
12:20 pm: The sources told The Hindu that the talks were held in a cordial manner as Mr. Chaudhry “underscored Pakistan’s commitment to have friendly relations with all its neighbours, including India.”
12:18 pm: Mr. Chaudhry’s visit is the first in the troubled aftermath of the Pathankot terror attack of January 2 which nearly stalled the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD) even before it could take off. But Tuesday’s visit came as an opening to discuss all issues, the sources said. A response from the Ministry of External Affairs is awaited.
(With inputs from PTI)
