India Not Prepared For Talks, Says Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday that India was not fully prepared for the Indo-Pak talks. He said Pakistan could not be delinked from the situation in Kashmir. Talking to media in Islamabad Qureshi said Pakistan is always prepared for talks with open mind and flexinility. Qureshi also said that Pakistan has its own interests and India should not ignore that.

“If we focus more only on those issues which India gives importance to and ignore those considered important by Pakistan, then I don’t think the talks can move forward” said Qureshi.

Qureshi said that Pakistan had shared a ‘non-paper’ with India.

“We understand India’s concerns and want to address them. But Pakistan also has its concerns and issues which should be understood by India”, added Qureshi.

Qureshi says Pakistan wanted a roadmap for the future but Indian side felt they did not have the mandate to commit to a roadmap.

“India was narrowing the dialogue and we said you cannot be selective. Indian foreign minister received foreign policy directions from New Delhi repeatedly during our meeting,” says Qureshi.

“Pakistan is ready for talks but dialogue should be subtantive, meaningful and result-oriented. Pakistan’s people and Kashmiris cannot be delinked from the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” Qureshi adds.

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