Pak-India dialogue not a concession from any side: FO

ISLAMABAD: Both Pakistan and India hinted this week that efforts were afoot for resumption of the suspended bilateral dialogue for which both sides are trying to find mutually-agreed dates, with Pakistan emphasising that India will find Pakistan ready for talks whenever it desires.

On Wednesday, Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawala was quoted as saying while on a visit to Lahore that a ‘breakthrough’ was expected for resumption of the dialogue but so far no date had been fixed.

While speaking to the media on Thursday, the spokesman at the Foreign Office commented, “Pakistan is ready when India is ready for the dialogue. So far there are no proposed dates. Both sides contact each other at various levels date, we will let you know.”

Bilateral relations hit rock bottom after a terrorist attack on an Indian air base at Pathankot New Delhi blamed on Pakistani non-state actors. Unconfirmed reports now speak about an Indian investigative team seeking approval to travel to Pakistan after an earlier visit from Pakistan.

“Normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India would require sincere efforts, good faith and commitment from both the countries. We have already conveyed that the dialogue process will not be a concession from one side to the other but a modest modus vivendi in inter-state relations,” the spokesman explained.

However, Pakistan too is perturbed with India’s decision to exonerate individuals who were involved in Samjhauta Express terrorist attack which saw 42 Pakistanis being killed. Recently, the Modi government has exonerated Col Purohit’s from Samjhauta Express terrorist attack and given a clean chit to Sadhvi Pragyain in Malegaon blast case.

“During his visit to India last month, the foreign secretary conveyed Pakistan’s concern to his Indian counterpart and urged the Indian government for fair investigation and trial of the terrorist attack. It is only through fair, timely and judicious administration of justice that any society can sustain itself as a respected member of global community,” said the spokesman.

A query was raised asking why Pakistan was ready to sign the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), since this would be detrimental to Pakistan as it would no longer be able to manufacture missiles. The spokesman first responded that this was a technical question and Pakistan was a vital part of the international disarmament dialogue, but then added, “Pakistan will only sign an agreement if other countries in the region also sign it and if Pakistan’s deterrent interests are not affected. Let me also reiterate that we want all such regimes to have non-discriminatory criteria-based approach for non-NPT countries.”

According to one expert who did not wish to be identified, “MTCR does not stop a state from making missiles of any range. It only binds it not to export a missile of more than 300km range. The regime is a club of industrially advanced countries and being part of it ensures that we remain abreast with high-end and cutting edge technological developments for peaceful purposes.”

The spokesman said extraordinary steps have been taken for the security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. 

The matter failure of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US to move forward in a meeting held on Wednesday was also raised with the spokesman who pointed out, “As to the effectiveness of QCG, we are dealing with a turmoil that is 36 years old with 15 years of military efforts by the world’s powerful countries. These countries are still endeavouring for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

The QCG is aimed at facilitating direct negotiations between Afghan government and the factions at war in Afghanistan, including Taliban. The Kabul government had made its participation conditional and did not send a delegation, and instead tasked its ambassador in Islamabad to participate.

“It is an Afghan issue. We have said this thing time and again that all the members of the QCG want to see this as Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process. The other three members are just facilitators. They are just helping to bring warring factions or militant groups to the negotiation table,” the spokesman pointed out.

He also said reports that Pakistan was not doing enough to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table was wrong. “Doubting Pakistan’s intention is not only wrong, but it also strengthens those elements that do not want to see peace in Afghanistan,” he said.

When asked about an Afghan militant group Hizb-e-Islami which has struck a deal with the Afghan government , the spokesman welcomed the move. “Pakistan welcomes any and every effort, which brings the militant groups to the negotiation table,” he added.