NEW DELHI: Blaming India for suspending peace talks on ‘flimsy grounds’, Pakistan has said that New Delhi had set unacceptable “pre-conditions” for the talks.
Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi went on to say that India was “not forthcoming” in resuming comprehensive dialogue and such an attitude was “impeding” the prospects of normalisation of bilateral relations.
However, India has slammed ‘hidden veto’ at the UN after China recently blocked the bid to ban JeM chief Masood Azhar after New Delhi asked for action against Pathankot attackers before talks could be resumed.
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Counter-terror mechanisms such as the Sanctions Committees that act on behalf of the international community need to build trust, not engender impunity by the use of this form of a ‘hidden’ veto,” Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, Permanent Representative, at the United Nations Security Council said while participating in an open debate on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
Lodhi, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, told a group of students and faculty members from the US Army War College last week that despite a positive start following the coming to power of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India suspended talks between the two countries on “flimsy grounds and set unacceptable pre-conditions” for their revival. According to a press statement issued by the Pakistan Mission at the UN, Lodhi said in spite of Pakistan’s call to resume broad-based, comprehensive dialogue, “India was still not forthcoming”.
“This attitude was impeding prospects of normalisation between the two countries,” the release said.
Lodhi said that defeating terrorism, growing the economy and building a peaceful neighbourhood were among Pakistan’s top priorities, including promoting peace and security in Afghanistan and normalising relations with India on the basis of resolution of outstanding disputes.
“These national priorities frame our international diplomacy and our foreign engagements,” she said.