Would talk to Pakistan only on contemporary, relevant issues: India

In a statement, the MEA said, “Would welcome dialogue on relevant issues in India-Pakistan relations and at this time it includes stoppage of Pak-supported cross-border terrorism.”

“Incitement to violence and terrorism across the border, parading of internationally recognised terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, and sincere follow up on the Mumbai attack trial and the Pathankot attack investigation in Pakistan,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Days after India insisted that it would discuss only PoK with Pakistan, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said on Friday that Pakistan plans to invite India for a dialogue on Kashmir issue.

“Our Foreign Secretary would formally be writing to his counterpart in this regard,” Aziz had said as he briefed the media about the Pakistan’s Envoys Conference held on August 1-3 to deliberate on major foreign policy challenges of Pakistan and make recommendations. He said the conference spent considerable time on the “grim situation” in Kashmir.

At a separate event, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, “Unlike in the past we cannot agree that dialogue with sponsor and supporters of terrorism should carry on without being linked to action in that regard”, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

“Threat of terrorism dominates global concerns today. It is an issue which has confronted Indian diplomacy for many years because of its cross border manifestation,” she said.

“Unlike in the past we cannot agree that dialogue with sponsor and supporters of terrorism should carry on without being linked to action in that regard. At the international level we are also putting the spotlight on early conclusion of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism,” she said.