Sharif's remarks are only confirmation of truth: MEA

Sharif said that the Kargil 'misadventure' in 1999 by troops of his country was a stab in the back for the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee

India today called "confirmation of truth" Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's reported comment that the Kargil "misadventure" in 1999 by troops of his country was a stab in the back for the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the two neighbours were engaged in a peace process.

"Nawaz Sharif has said something which was known to all. Everybody knew about it. He has only confirmed a truth which we all aware of," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

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Addressing a public rally in Muzaffarabad, Sharif had reportedly agreed that Kargil offensive by Pakistani troops was a misadventure and a stab in the back for then Prime Minister Vajpayee.

Pakistani troops had occupied a number of positions in Kargil heights, months after Sharif and Vajpayee had initiated a peace processs by signing the historic Lahore declaration.

"Vajpayee told me he had been stabbed in the back with the Kargil misadventure because it came soon after the Lahore Declaration. I told him I would have said the same thing if I were in his place," Sharif has been quoted as saying.

The MEA spokesperson said everybody knew about what Sharif had said.

On proposed FS talks between the two sides, Swarup said both foreign secretaries are in touch with each other but no dates have been finalised yet.

Asked about Pakistan's offer of sending a special investigation team to India to probe the Pathankot attack, he said India was waiting for a firm proposal from Islamabad on the issue.

"We have said that we welcomed the decision of Pakistan government to form an SIT. As and when a firm proposal is received, then the modalities will be worked out," he said.

On Pakistan's response to evidence given by India on involvement of terrorists from that country in the attack, he said the issue is being handled by NSAs of the two countries.

Asked about Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's reported remarks that he was opposed to any joint probe into the attack, the MEA spokesperson said there was no such proposal.

"There was never a joint investigation team. Pakistan had proposed sending a special investigation team to India and that time we had welcomed it. Since then we are awaiting a detailed proposal from Pakistan. Once we receive it, we will discuss," said Swarup.