Indo-Pak talks must be handled delicately, says Memon

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majeed Memon on Sunday said the talks between New Delhi and Islamabad must be appreciated but added that this issue must be handled delicately in the best national interest of India.

"It is desirable that talks must go on in a cordial atmosphere. It must go on appreciating the respectability of our side. We can't just bow down to anything or we can't agree for the terms which may not be in our interest. So, our national interest is definitely our prime consideration. Let us hope that Indo-Pakistan relationship improves," Memon told ANI here.

"What we don't like, what the people of this country would not approve is that on one hand we are shaking hands, embracing each other, talking of friendship and simultaneously behind our back on our border there is ceasefire violation, intrusion. I think we will have to very seriously and delicately handle these issues in the best national interest of India," he added.

According to reports, senior officials from India and Pakistan have held two meetings between themselves. The first such meeting took place between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit K Doval and Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit while the second meeting took place between Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and Basit.

India had cancelled the Foreign Secretary-level talks that were scheduled to be held in Islamabad on August 25 between two countries after the Pakistan High Commissioner held parleys with Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi.