NSA-level talks 'pointless' as Pak hell-bent on destroying India: Shiv Sena

Condemning the India-Pakistan National Security Advisor (NSA) level talks that happened in Bangkok yesterday, the Shiv Sena on Monday said that having talks with the hostile neighbour was pointless as their main goal was to destroy India by sponsoring terrorism here and added that no amount of talks would solve the strained ties between the two nations.

"Going to a third nation and discussing the problems between India and Pakistan shows the relationship between the nations. While their talks keep happening, Kashmir continues to get infiltrated and ceasefire violations are on the rise," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI here.

However, he admitted his respect for Indian NSA Ajit Doval and said that he did not doubt his capabilities, but questioned the benefit of the dialogue with his Pakistan counterpart Nasir Janjua.

"Shiv Sena has always been against any ties with Pakistan. Time and again we have had dialogues w and India has always bent its knees to them. Pakistan-sponsored terrorism never ends here and terrorism can't exist in India without Pakistan's support," Raut said.

He demanded to know why the talks were happening saying that the nation was waiting for an answer as well and added that the outcome of the NSA-level talks would vindicate the Shiv Sena's stand.

"Pakistan has always been hell-bent on destroying India and they have been against us from the start. While we share sweet words with them, here our soldiers and people are dying," Raut added.

Yesterday, in a surprising move, India-Pakistan has NSA-level talks in Bangkok on a wide range of issues including terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir, and border issues.

Post the meeting, both nations released a joint statement saying that the discussions were held in a 'candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere'.

However, the Congress strongly opposed the meeting accusing the Centre of going back on its stand on Pakistan and said that they will raise the issue in the Parliament today.

Congress Party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told ANI that, "the Congress Party has always stood for peaceful resolution through mutual cooperation and mutual talks, but this (NDA) government did not take us into confidence about the talks in Bangkok.

"The talks with Pakistan have gone through a series of flip-flops and the current talks do not inspire much expectation. Further, it raises the question of whether these talks are being used as a diversion by the Modi government from pivotal issues such as the economic, political or agrarian crisis," he added.