Lakshman Rekha
Pakistan can’t straddle the Fence
Open Open 21 Aug, 2014
Pakistan has to negotiate either with India or with the militants. There can’t be two options
Candle-light peaceniks on the Wagah Border may be disappointed. But India’s decision to call off foreign secretary-level dialogue with Pakistan cannot be seen as a setback. The government’s move has only drawn a Lakshman Rekha for future negotiations.
Foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin summed up the Indian argument when he said, “They (the Pakistani High Commission) were told that the meeting (of separatists) was unacceptable to us but they chose to go ahead with it… Under the circumstances, there is no use of sending the foreign secretary to Islamabad.” He was commenting on Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s invitation to separatist leaders from Kashmir to meet for talks, the first of which was held in New Delhi.
Islamabad must respect India’s concerns, as according to past accords, the two countries alone are stakeholders in the Kashmir dispute.Pakistan has to negotiate either with India or with the militants. There can’t be two options.
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