"When government of India takes a decision, it takes all factors into account. However, it also takes every situation into account and then decides and in this case, first of all, we were not having talks we were going to have talks.
"And therefore, our understanding was...This was not substantive, meaningful engagement... It was going to lead to that and therefore, we felt that in this environment, it would not serve any purpose.... A series of actions were taken which were not conducive to proceed ahead," Spokesperson in the External Affairs Minister Syed Akbaruddin said.
Asked why did India permit meetings between Pakistan and the Hurriyat in the past, he said, "Pakistan assured us, at the highest level, that they were committed to a peaceful dialogue on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and would not allow Pakistan or territories under its control to be used for terrorism against us.
"We know now, particularly after the Mumbai terror attacks and the manner in which Pakistan has pursued subsequent investigations and trials, that this assurance had no meaning and that an approach that is different to the one laid down by the Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration does not yield results."
About Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit's remarks that the cancellation of the talks should not lead to pessimism and that the two countries should move forward, the Spokesperson said, "In diplomacy, it is not always about saying the right things at the right time. It is also about avoiding to say the wrong things at any time.