72 hours or else, India says, but Nawaz Sharif isn't even in Pakistan

Foreign Secretary level talks between the two countries on 15 January likely to be called off

India has reportedly issued an ultimatum to Pakistan – investigate the Jaish-e-Mohammad in the next 72 hours and give New Delhi a report on the circumstances of the attack on the Pathankot Air Base OR India will cancel the Foreign Secretary level talks due on 15 January.

It is highly unlikely that Pakistan will comply: not the least because Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is not in Pakistan. Sharif is travelling to Sri Lanka on a two-day state visit followed by a visit to Thailand. His Sri Lanka visit begins today i.e 4 January. 

During his visit, the two sides will sign several agreements including a pact on combating money laundering and terrorism financing, officials said in Colombo.

This will be Sharif’s first visit to Sri Lanka since President Maithripala Sirisena took office in Sri Lanka a year ago. Sharif last visited the island nation in November 2013 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting which was held here.

Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva said 10 memorandum of understandings (MoUs) and pacts are to be signed during Sharif’s visit, covering a range of key areas.

Besides pact on combating money laundering and terrorism financing, the two countries will sign agreements in youth development field, exchange of statistical and census data, science, technology, scientific and technological cooperation, health and culture among others, the minister said. 

Bilateral trade between the two countries stands close to $400 million.  In January 2014, both countries agreed to drive this trade to reach $1billion in the next two to three years.