Pak shouldn't have deviated from agenda set in Ufa: Rajnath Singh

Asserting that India has always been in favour of friendly ties with neighbouring countries, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday expressed disappointment with the cancellation of the NSA-level talks and said that Pakistan should not have deviated from the agenda set in Ufa, Russia.

Singh said Pakistan's move to cancel the talks is extremely unfortunate and added that India was ready for the talks.

"It has been India's thinking from the very beginning that we must have cordial relations with our neighbouring countries. We will always make attempts in this regard. Pakistan should not have deviated from the agenda set in Ufa during the meeting between the two Prime Ministers. Pakistan called off the talks, India did not cancel it," Singh said.

"It was decided that there will be no third party in the NSA-level talks. There was no decision taken that people from different levels will come and talk. Pakistan should have talked based on the agenda which was decided," he added.

Pakistan called off the NSA-level talks with India late on Saturday night.

A statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said the proposed talks will not serve any purpose if conducted on the basis of what it called 'preconditions' laid down by India.