[1]NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan today held bilateral talks focusing on a range of issues. It is the first such formal meeting between the two top diplomats after talks were deferred in January following the strike by Pakistani terrorists at Pathankot Airbase.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry are also believed to have deliberated on ways to take forward the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD) which has been stagnant. India has been pressing for action against terrorists responsible for the audacious attack on the premier IAF base,
to move ahead in the talks.
The Pakistan Foreign Secretary is in New Delhi on a day-long visit to attend the Senior Officials Meeting of the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process. Earlier, Mr. Jaishankar met Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and discussed issues of mutual interests.
The Pakistani High Commission says the meeting between Foreign Secretaries provided a useful opportunity to exchange views on recent developments in bilateral context. It adds all outstanding issues including J&K dispute were discussed.
“The (Pakistani) Foreign Secretary emphasized that Kashmir remains a core issue that requires a just solution, in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of Kashmiris,” the High Commission stated.
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has arrived at the South Block to hold talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.We are always in favour of talks but there needs to be a coherent policy and direction to that, says Congress leader Anand Sharma.
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