There are no back-channel talks: Pak NSA

Hours after India and Pakistan agreed to a “strict observance” of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistani National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf made it clear that there had been “no back-channel” talks between him and India’s NSA Ajit Doval but nevertheless added that the “welcome development on the LoC is a result of discussions through the established channel of DGMOs” and that “obviously these are by their very nature not in the public eye and done privately and professionally through the direct channel”.

The Pakistani NSA insisted that that “there is nothing more than meets the eye here”.

Meanwhile, India on Thursday evening also said it “desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan” and has “always maintained that we (India) are committed to addressing issues, if any, in a peaceful bilateral manner”.

Asked whether this was the start of the resumption of the Indo-Pak peace process, New Delhi merely said that “on key issues, our position remains unchanged”.

India had earlier this month squarely put the onus on Pakistan to “create an environment free of terror, hostility and violence”, in its response to a media query on the statement made by Pakistan’s Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa who had said that “it is time” for his country to “extend the hand of peace in all directions”.

The Pakistan Army chief had even called on both countries to resolve the Kashmir issue in a “peaceful and dignified manner”, in comments that were seen as a possible outreach to India.

On Thursday evening, the Pakistani NSA tweeted, “I have seen claims by Indian media that attribute ceasefire announcement between Pakistani and Indian DGMOs to back-channel diplomacy between me and the Indian NSA. This is baseless. No such talks have taken place between me and Mr. Doval. The welcome development on the LoC is a result of discussions through the established channel of DGMOs. Obviously these are by their very nature not in the public eye and done privately and professionally through the direct channel.”

The Pakistani NSA added, “Pakistan has continued to call for the 2003 ceasefire agreement to be honored and I am glad we have reached the understanding. It must be followed in letter and spirit. Doing so will save innocent lives so no one should question the intent. Nor should wrong inferences be drawn. There is nothing more than meets the eye here.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rides an electric scooter during a protest against the hike in fuel price in Kolkata on Thursday. She slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre, “We are protesting against the fuel price hike. The Modi government only makes false promises. They have done nothing to bring down fuel prices. You can see the difference in petrol prices when the Modi government came to power and now.”