Cornered on ‘Terrorism’, Pakistan call off NSA Talks blaming India

Accusing India of taking a tough stand on the issue of Kashmir or their meeting the Hurriyat leaders, Pakistan finally called off the NSA level talks with India, scheduled for August 24. A cornered Pakistan did not want to talk only terrorism and said it would lead to blame game.

Pakistan took strong exception to India’s “preconditions” that NSA talks would be held on terrorism only and said all issues, including Kashmir must be discussed between both countries. India maintained that the NSA level talks must be limited to terrorism and other issues can be raked up in other forums.

Pakistan also expressed disappointment over India’s stand on not allowing Hurriyat leaders to meet the Pakistani delegation and said it has been a long practice. Pakistan further said that as India used to concot the terror incidents in the past, talking only terrorism, won’t be the right step forward.