India should have 'conveyed' its condition to Pak: CPI(M)

Terming cancellation of dialogue between India and Pakistan as "unfortunate", CPI(M) today charged that there were "weaknesses" in Centre's stand vis-a-vis the Ufa agreement, which was the basis for the two countries deciding to hold NSA-level talks here.
Speaking to media persons here, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury reiterated need for a "composite" dialogue process between the two nations to ensure de-escalation of tension along border and for "future of both the countries".
"Last time, foreign secretary-level dialogue was cancelled on same issue that some separatist leaders were called by Pakistan embassy (for talks). So, India should have had made it clear (in advance) that the NSA-level talks would not take place if Pakistan held talks with separatists.

"We did not hear anything about this condition from Ufa, where the NSA-level talks were agreed to. This needs preparation. Whoever understands a little bit of diplomacy, knows importance of preparation before talks. It is clear, there was a weakness in this (Ufa preparation)," Yechury said.
Urging the Centre to remove this "weakness", Yechury said the dialogue between the two countries should resume ensuring peace along border and future of both the countries.
The party said that whipping up jingoism will only strengthen fundamentalist forces on both sides of the border, which will be harmful to the interests of people of the two nations and will have "serious implications" in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The party reiterates it is only through the process of a composite dialogue encompassing all issues and disputes between the two countries, that the current growing tensions can be de-escalated," CPI(M) said in its statement.
Pakistan called off NSA-level talks late night on August 22 and a statement by Pakistan Foreign Office said the proposed talks will not serve any purpose if conducted on the basis of what it called "preconditions" laid by India.