NEW DELHI: Defence expert P.K. Sehgal on Thursday criticised Pakistan’s assertion that India does not want to come to the dialogue table and said it is the Asian neighbour, which spoils the environment every time both sides plan to talk.
Sehgal told ANI that India has always been very keen to hold talks with Pakistan, adding it is very strange on Islamabad’s part to make such statements.
“Every time there is an atmosphere for talks, Pakistan ensures and does something to make sure that the talks do not proceed. So, blaming India here is unacceptable,” said Sehgal.
“A very strange statement, he (Aziz) is fully aware of the fact that India has always been very keen to talk on every issue, including Kashmir. And the issue we now want to talk on as far as Kashmir is concerned is the illegal occupation of Pakistan occupied Kashmir by Pakistan and the handing over of the certain area to China which is known as the Chinese occupied Kashmir. Also we want to talk about the northern areas, which Pakistan wants to integrate within,” he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Islamabad is not shying away from dialogue with India, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s logic in this regard is beyond perception.
Retorting to a recent statement made by Prime Minister Modi in an interview to an English news channel, Aziz asserted India does not want to come to the dialogue table.
“Actually, it is India which is shying away as it knows that it has to discuss the Kashmir issue and other issues on the dialogue table,” he said.