No talks on Kashmir as Jaishankar accepts Pakistani invite

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Wednesday accepted his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhry's invitation for talks, but rejected the proposal to discuss the current Jammu and Kashmir unrest.

Jaishankar has, however, agreed to discuss aspects related to cross-border terrorism, sources said.

India has also conveyed that it "rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir" and asserted that the northern state is an integral part of India "where Pakistan has no locus standi".

Sources said: "In response to the invitation from the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, the Indian Foreign Secretary has conveyed his willingness to visit Islamabad."

"Since aspects related to cross-border terrorism are central to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, we have proposed that discussions between the Foreign Secretaries be focussed on them," they said.

"We have also conveyed that the government of India rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India where Pakistan has no locus standi."

On Monday, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan was handed over an invitation addressed to Jaishankar for talks, the dates for which have not yet been announced.

The Jammu and Kashmir issue has led to frostiness in ties between the neighbours, especially with Islamabad expressing open support for the current unrest in the Valley where over 60 people have died in clashes with security forces since July 9.

--IANS

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