“In his letter dated August 24, the Foreign Secretary has conveyed (to Pakistan) that India seeks a result-oriented dialogue on the subject”, Swarup said.
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Pakistan foreign secretary Chaudhry’s second invite to India to discuss Kashmir was dated 19 August and was the second in a week.
“The Foreign Secretary has underlined that as far as terrorism is concerned, not just India but the larger region is acutely aware that Pakistan is actually a prime perpetrator”, Swarup said citing the recent arrest of LeT-trained militant Bahadur Ali from Pakistan.
“India continues to maintain that it is incumbent upon Pakistan to extradite this global terrorist to whom they have provided sanctuary for a very long period of time to face justice for his many crimes”.
The last comment by Jaishankar comes on the back of India accusing Pakistan of fomenting an insurgency in Kashmir, a charge that Pakistan denies.
A senior Pakistani foreign ministry official said Mr Modi had “crossed the red line”.
Pakistani forces are engaged in a “tsunami of human rights violations” in Balochistan, Brahumdagh Bugti alleged on Saturday as he sought the help of the worldwide community including India in the Baloch nationalist movement. “It gives them ammunition”, said Daniel Markey, a South Asia expert at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, referring to Modi´s mention of Balochistan.
But he added: “There is a strategic utility in looking a little unhinged, in sending that message”. At least 66 protesters and two security personnel have been killed and thousands wounded on both sides, according to official state figures.
Two senior Indian officials said Mr Modi has become frustrated with Pakistan’s latest bid to draw worldwide attention to the Kashmir issue and the current clampdown, and to take the matter to the United Nations.
“If India’s support is just a reaction to the politics and to Kashmir, then it could damage the political struggle”, said Baloch Republican Party leader Brahamdagh Bugti. He said the Baloch people “do not want to live with Pakistan anymore”, as he demanded a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations.
Meanwhile, India on Friday asked Pakistan not to remain in a “denial” mode regarding its support to cross-border terrorism as the war of words between the two countries intensified.
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Last Saturday, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a meeting with retired diplomats who have served as national security advisors, to discuss the PM’s remarks on Balochistan, as well as the likely impact on ties with Pakistan and China, given that Beijing’s infrastructure projects in Balochistan could be affected. He said New Delhi had rejected his application for Indian asylum in 2007.
