Talks hinge on Pakistan taking action

New Delhi: India is “mulling all options” on the foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan that are due in Islamabad January 15, and also continuation of the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue, following the Pathankot airbase terror attack, and will wait to see how Pakistan reacts.

Despite being convinced the terrorists sneaked in from Pakistan, India doesn’t want to resort to any “knee-jerk reaction”, but there is a possibility the FS-level talks may be deferred. The government will place the evidence before Pakistan on the intercepts and call records of those who had carried out the Pathankot strike to prove they indeed infiltrated from Pakistan.

Speculation is rife that the two NSAs may talk before foreign secretary S. Jaishankar’s proposed visit in mid-January.

India indicated on Monday that it will decide on going ahead with the foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan only later this week, after operations at the Pathankot airbase is over.

This was conveyed by finance minister Arun Jaitley. If Pakistan gives some assurance that it will hold a probe and take action, there can be some basis for continuation of the dialogue, sources in New Delhi said.