NEW DELHI: Pakistan today indicated that an Indian probe team is unlikely to be allowed to visit that country in connection with investigation into the Pathankot terror strike, pouring cold water on India's expectations.
Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit said the whole investigation is not about question of reciprocity and is about cooperation between the two countries in probing the Pathankot attack.
"It is very difficult for me to say. But at this stage...the whole investigation is not about question of reciprocity in my view. It is more about extending cooperation or our two countries cooperating with each other to get to the bottom of the incident," Basit said.
His comments came days after a five-member Joint Investigation Team(JIT) from Pakistan visited India to carry forward the probe into the attack at the Pathankot airbase after which India was expecting to send an NIA team to the neighbouring country.
Earlier, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said NIA did mention to the JIT that they would like to visit Pakistan in connection with the probe.
"The work of JIT in India was as per the terms of reference which were agreed between the two governments thrrough their respective foreign offices. They (visit) are on reciprocal basis and in accordance with the existing legal provisions," Swarup said.
Basit, however, during an interaction in Foreign Correspondents' Club here, said, "This whole incident in not about reciprocity it is about cooperating with each other and let's hope that the spirit of cooperation is retained in the days and weeks ahead," he said.
Asked whether he was ruling out NIA visit to Pakistan, he said, "I leave it to your imagination."
The JIT from Pakistan had visited India last month and went around the strategic IAF airbase in Pathankot which was attacked by Pakistani terrorists on the intervening night of January one and two, leaving seven securitymen dead. Four Pakistani terrorists were also killed in the gunbattle.
Asked if India, which had earlier asked Pakistan to allow it to examine JeM chief Masood Azhar, was still persisting with the demand, Swarup said he would not like to comment on any individual or any particular organisation which were part of an ongoing investigation.
On whether a team of NIA was wanting to visit Pakistan in connection with Pathankot attack, the Spokesperson said NIA did mention to the JIT that it would like to visit Pakistan in connection with the probe.