NEW DELHI: A meeting between foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York later this month, is unlikely to see a breakthrough as Pakistan has been pushing for unconditional talks.
The Pakistani position leaves no chance for breaking the impasse as New Delhi is clear that bilateral talks can be held only after Islamabad takes action on terror. Due to the heavy domestic criticism following the Sharm-el-Sheikh effort, New Delhi is in no position to give Islamabad any leeway on any aspect of the bilateral relationship till there is `credible' action against terrorists and terrorism.
Though India has continued to pressure Pakistan to cooperate on investigations into the Mumbai terror attacks, and to dismantle the terror infrastructure, it has only been met with defiance and indignance from the Pakistani side.
"We want a dialogue (with India) but we are not willing to accept any conditions... We want talks in an open and friendly atmosphere. They (India) are mistaken if they think they can achieve anything by putting pressure on Pakistan," foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was quoted as saying.
He accused India of issuing statements and taking up issues like terrorism with the world community to "put Pakistan on the defensive." He claimed that this move was prompted by India's `internal political compulsions' and that Islamabad would not be affected by it. Islamabad's posturing ahead of the talks has not gone down well with New Delhi where frustration is growing with Pakistan.
As a counter to Indian pressure, Islamabad has already stated that it will use the opportunity in New York to rake up the Kashmir issue in bilateral and multilateral meetings. Islamabad is planning to raise the Kashmir issue at, apart from UNGA, a meeting of the Kashmir contact group of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to be held in New York. Mr Qureshi warned that India's decision to not continue efforts to resolve issues like the Kashmir problem through a composite dialogue would have consequences.
"We strongly believe a just and fair settlement of the Kashmir issue is essential for lasting peace in the region. We will again pitch for the issue in New York. We hope our efforts will gather some momentum and get support in the international community," foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit was quoted as saying.(ET)
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