India on Thursday asserted that there is no change in position on holding talks to Pakistan until and unless there are convincing actions on the part of western neighbour against terrorism.
MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar told reporters here that New Delhi had made it clear time and again that ‘Pakistan has to take action which is irreversible’.
“As per the established diplomatic practice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have responded to the congratulatory messages received from their counterparts in Pakistan. In their messages, they have highlighted that India seeks normal and cooperative relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan,’ he said.
The spokesman also maintained that Prime Minister in his message, had pointed out that for purposeful bilateral ties and talks, ‘it is important to build an environment of trust, free of terror, violence and hostility.”
Addressing a media briefing he clarified that there is ‘no change’ in India’s position on the matter.
Kumar also clarified that letters written from Indian side were part of the established diplomatic protocol. ‘It was only a response to a congratulatory message, ‘ he said adding that both PM modi and Mr Jaishankar had responded to such missives to several leaders across the globe.
In reference to reports in a section of Pakistani media, he said, ‘We have seen the mindset of distorting facts in Pakistan media in this case, like how they distorted this simple straight-forward letter.’
Kumar said the letter had only shared India’s position that it wants to maintain cooperative relation with all nations in South Asia and for that, there is need to create a suitable atmosphere free of terror.
Answering a question, he said the ministry would not like to respond on the matters concerning Pakistan and the possible actions from the Financial Action Task Force that could possibly blacklist Pakistan.
