More proof in Mumbai attack case sought from India, says Sartaj

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz said on Monday that Pakistan has sought more proof in the Mumbai attacks case from India.
“The meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi was not a breakthrough but a good beginning. This was an initial interaction and not formal talks. If India agrees to a formal dialogue, Pakistan will only go into it if Kashmir is a part of the agenda,” Sartaj Aziz told the media at the Foreign Office.
He said that the Kashmiris’ right to self determine their destiny had not been granted. “Pakistan has stood by the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif affirmed our principled position in clear and unequivocal terms during his annual speech at the UN General Assembly. We will continue to extend political, moral and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren,” he added.
“We are going to seek a dialogue to reduce tensions and we will stay firm on issues with dignity and resolve,” he said.To a query about the joint statement which did not mention Kashmir, Sartaj Aziz explained, “Kashmir and all other contentious issues were raised. There are some issues that can be solved immediately and others like Kashmir will take time. The July 10 meeting served to achieve one major objective, i.e. reducing tensions and creating an environment for meaningful talks on all issues of importance to both countries.”
The PM’s adviser said Pakistan needs more evidence and information to conclude the Mumbai attacks trial. “The reference to ‘additional information’ is a recognition of the need that more information is needed to expedite the trial. Nawaz Sharif also sought information on the progress made on the trial of the Samjhauta Express terrorist incident. Issues of bilateral trade also came up. All these issues will now be followed up through different channels,” he added.
The adviser said that there was a frank discussion on each other’s concerns.“Pakistan has been deeply concerned, not only about the hostile statements from Indian ministers but also about Indian interference in Pakistan, including continuing support for insurgency in Balochistan. India, on the other hand, has been repeating its traditional accusations of cross border terrorism while overlooking the decisive counter terrorism campaign launched by Pakistan in the past two years,” he pointed out.
To address these acrimonious concerns, the two sides agreed that the national security advisers of the two countries would meet, first in New Delhi and then in Islamabad.
Sartaj Aziz said it remains to be seen how would the national security advisers meetings in Delhi and Islamabad go. These meetings would also focus on how to address the unnecessary rhetoric.
It appears that the Ufa meeting saw Pakistan give benefit of doubt to India as far as moving the UN was concerned. “The decision whether to go to the UN or not would be taken only after meeting between the national security advisers of the two countries,” he explained.
To a query on Daesh, Sartaj Aziz said, “It is a potential problem. The Afghan people are turning to Daesh. In Pakistan it is not a serious problem as there is no large-scale evidence. It should receive more attention. It has extended from the Middle East to South Asia and should be countered.”
Earlier, reading from a written statement, Sartaj Aziz said that the SCO took a unanimous formal decision to admit Pakistan (and India) into the organisation. This organisation can play an important role in shaping a conducive regional environment that would bring peace and prosperity to all the SCO members.
Another major development of historic proportion was the meeting of the prime minister with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The two leaders agreed to enhance the bilateral relationship in all spheres, particularly in trade, investment and defence.
“The prime minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of China provided a welcome opportunity to review, at the highest level, status of progress made in implementing the decisions taken during President Xi’s landmark visit to Pakistan in April 2015, with regard to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other avenues of our multi-faceted cooperation. Pakistan and China are bonded by deep-rooted ties of friendship and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” Sartaj Aziz said.
The prime minister also met Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan, to reaffirm the mutual resolve to maintain the upward trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.