India rejects Pak’s FS-level talks proposal

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) India today rejected Pakistan’sproposal to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks on Kashmir andmade it clear that terrorism was "central" to its relationswith Islamabad, whose different view and attitude has made itdifficult for bilateral ties to grow. Responding to Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz AhmadChaudhry’s invitation, India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankarexpressed his willingness to travel to Islamabad to discussaspects related to cross-border terrorism which are central tothe current situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The response, which was handed over to Pakistan ForeignMinistry by Indian envoy to Islamabad Gautam Bambawale, alsomaintained that the neighbouring country has no locus standiin addressing any aspect of the situation in J&K, which is aninternal matter of India, except to put an end to cross-borderterrorism and infiltration. Later talking to the media here, Jaishankar said Indiahas made great efforts to reach out to Pakistan but it clearlyfaces a unique challenge in Pakistan’s response. "Terrorism issue has become so central to therelationship that it makes the ties difficult to grow," theForeign Secretary said. He also hit out at Pakistan, saying while rest of theregion is with India in wanting a much more cooperative andconnected South Asia, a "standout country’s" view and attitudetowards terrorism as an instrument of policy of diplomacymakes it a "difficult partner" in the region. MORE PTI MPB SAPPYKSK