India today put the ball in Pakistan’s court over the much-hyped NSA talks, saying that hosting of Kashmiri separatists would be contrary to the Ufa spirit where the two countries had decided to have talks on terror.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said here that India wanted the talks to happen and had conveyed to Pakistan its agenda three days back, response to which was still awaited.
“We want talks to happen.India is ready for talks.We are committed to the talks. Now it is up to them (Pakistan),” he said when asked about the fate of the talks between the NSAs which looks in jeopardy after Pakistan’s invitation to Kashmiri separatist leaders for meeting with its NSA Sartaj Aziz.
“We have made it clear to Pakistan that hosting of Kashmiri separatists will be contrary to the spirit of the Ufa understanding. We have conveyed our position on their reported meeting with them (separatists) and sought clarity on the agenda,” said Swarup who is here in connection with the Summit of Forum for India-Pacific Islands Conference to be attended by 14 nations.
He said India had also communicated to Pakistan the agenda for the NSA talks and was yet to get any response officially.
Pakistan has invited Kashmir separatists for a reception and talks with Aziz, setting off a confrontation with India.