India seeks ‘early and visible’ progress in Pathankot probe
Pakistan raises Kashmir, Balochistan issues at Heart of Asia meet
NEW DELHI — India on Tuesday sought “early and visible progress” in Pakistan’s investigation into the January 2 cross-border terror attack on the Pathankot airbase in which seven Indian security men were killed.
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, during talks with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, emphasised the need for “early and visible progress” in the Pathankot terrorist attack investigation as well as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial in Pakistan, the external affairs ministry said in a statement, adding that the “discussions were frank and constructive”.
Jaishankar also brought up the inclusion of Jaish-e-Mohammad leader Masood Azhar in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee listing and his labelling as a terrorist.
The JeM was behind the Pathankot terror attack.
“Foreign Secretary Jaishankar clearly conveyed that Pakistan cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship,” the ministry statement said.
“Terrorist groups based in Pakistan targeting India must not be allowed to operate with impunity.”
India also pressed for immediate consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former naval officer who was abducted and taken to Pakistan.
“The discussions also covered humanitarian issues, including those pertaining to fishermen and prisoners, and people to people contacts including religious tourism,” the statement said. “The two foreign secretaries exchanged ideas on taking the relationship forward and agreed to remain in touch.”
According to Pakistan foreign office spokesman Mohammed Nafees Zakaria, the Pakistani foreign secretary “expressed serious concern over RAW’s involvement in subversive activities in Balochistan and Karachi”.
However, sources within the Indian establishment said that Jaishankar firmly rebutted the allegations of India’s involvement in Balochistan or other areas of Pakistan. “In this context, he asked which spy agency would put their agent in the field with their own passport, and without a visa,” the sources said.
According to Zakaria, during Tuesday’s talks, Islamabad sought early resumption of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue between the two south Asian neighbours.