Summary The NSA level talks between the two countries are scheduled to be held on August 24.
(Web Desk) – India on Friday advised Pakistan against meeting with Hurriyat representatives in New Delhi, saying it will not be "appropriate."
Responding to the invitation extended by Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit to Kashmiri leaders to meet Pakistan National Security advisor Sataj Aziz in New Delhi on August 23, Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swaroop on Friday said, "India has advised Pakistan yesterday that it would not be appropriate for Mr Sartaz Aziz to meet with Hurriyat representatives in India.”
“Such a meeting would not be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Ufa understanding to jointly work to combat terrorism,” he tweeted, referring to a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in the Russian city in July this year.
“We have also sought (confirmation) of our proposed agenda for the NSA level talks that was conveyed to the Pakistani side on 18 Aug 2015,” Swarup tweeted.
Pakistan has said it plans to raise all important issues, including Kashmir, when Pakistani NSA Sartaj Aziz meets his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on August 24. Aziz is expected to meet Hurriyat leaders shortly after he arrives in Delhi on August 23.
The NSA-level meeting signals the resumption of dialogue between the two countries a year after India canceled talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries, and after Pakistan consulted Kashmiri separatists.
On Thursday, police put Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest and whisked Mohammed Yasin Malik to a police station in Indian Occupied Kashmir s main city of Srinagar. Both were released after about two hours.
However, police did not remove barricades from outside the home of separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed surprise over the detentions and quick release and said the Indian government was "confused" ahead of the talks.
