NSA level talks called off: Pak NSA Sartaj Aziz says both countries interpreted UFA talks differently

Speaking to a TV Channel, Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz that although the NSA-level talks did not take place, talks between Pak Rangers and BSF will happen soon. 

"UFA agreement's objective was to reduce tension and wanted modalities of Kashmir to be discussed. Pakistan won't propose talks in New York, it's now up to India to propose talks. Dialogue between the two countries was beginning, but this was unfortunate. Although, DGMO, Pakistan BSF rangers and BSF meeting will go ahead," he told CNN-IBN in an interview.

He further added that both India and Pakistan interpreted UFA talks differently. He also stressed that as far as Kashmir is concerned "whole Pakistan is united and there is no divide."

"Back channel diplomacy without front channel diplomacy is meaningless. We'll not propose talks with India at UNGA," he said. 

Speaking about reports of Dawood Ibrahim living in Karachi, Aziz said, "India's proof against Dawood has only come from Indian media, not the government. If we discuss only terror, it'll vitiate atmosphere; Discussion on Kashmir will help ease regional tensions."

Accusing India of "sabotaging" the NSA-level talks with its "fanatic approach", Pakistan on Sunday attacked the Narendra Modi government, saying its "negative attitude" was aimed at disrupting regional peace. A day after Pakistan called off talks between National Security Advisers Sartaj Aziz and Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, "negative attitude of Modi government was to disrupt peace in the region," state-run Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.

"India sabotaged the Pak-India talks scheduled to be held in New Delhi today due to its fanatic approach", he said.

Pakistan, he said, was "serious" in holding the talks with India which was the best way to resolve bilateral issues. However, the "pre-conditions put by India for the talks were not acceptable to Pakistan", he said.

Pakistan had called off the NSA-level talks on Saturday night, hours after India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable to it. Yesterday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had given a virtual ultimatum to Pakistan to give a clear commitment by midnight that it would not go ahead with meeting the Kashmiri separatist leaders.

"There will be no talks," Swaraj had said when asked what would happen if Pakistan did not accept the position outlined by her on separatists and Kashmir though she maintained these were not pre-conditions.

The Pakistani Defence Minister also said that Pakistan's armed forces are fully capable of protecting its frontiers and sovereignty of the country. Asif alleged that India was attempting to weaken Pakistan's economy. He said Indian forces were violating the Line of Control and working boundary just to keep busy Pakistani armed forces. 

(With Agency Inputs)