Pakistan envoy says talks with India ‘suspended’

Pakistan said here Thursday the comprehensive bilateral dialogue with India stands “suspended” for now. Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit, at an interaction with reporters in Delhi, said in response to a question it was his “sense” that the dialogue process with India had been “suspended”. Mr Basit said: “We would like to have a meaningful dialogue. But if India is not yet ready, we can always wait. Because as far as Pakistan is concerned, we consider the dialogue process important to resolve our problems. It is not a favour by one country to another. So we will wait and see how India evolves its position on the dialogue process itself.”

Pakistan also indicated there may be no reciprocity for India after the JIT’s visit, meaning a reciprocal visit by a team of India’s NIA to Pakistan to probe the Pathankot atttack may not be permitted. “I personally feel this whole investigation is not about a question of reciprocity. It is more about extending cooperation. It is not a question of reciprocity,” Mr Basit said. India reacted later Thursday evening, noting the Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson’s own comment that “both countries are in contact with each other” and that “modalities (for the comprehensive bilateral talks) are being worked out”.

Mr Basit also raked up the recent arrest of Kulbhushan Yadav, whom Pakistan accuses of being an Indian spy, to claim unrest is being created to destablise Pakistan.