No role for any third party in Indo-Pak talks: BJP

Jammu: BJP said there was no room for any third party, including the Hurriyat Conference, in the talk process between India and Pakistan as per the Simla agreement.

"There is no room for any third party interference or consultation for holding talks between India and Pakistan,” state BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi told the media on Wednesday.

"Dialogue can take place only between the two countries as per the Shimla agreement and any involvement of person or organization within or outside India is not acceptable. There is no role for Hurriyat Conference or any other separatist body in any such talks," Sethi said.

BJP’s statement comes a day after the opposition National Conference said that Hurriyat Conference has shunned armed violence and is prepared for a sustained, productive dialogue.

"This should be enough for New Delhi to engage with them and include them in their talks with Pakistan - be it on issues directly related to Kashmir or indirectly related to Kashmir."

BJP said it is open to talks between the two countries to resolve the border dispute and on ceasefire violations but is firm on it’s stand about the Hurriyat. “Pakistan's attempts to involve Hurriyat will only give legitimacy and importance to it, which is unacceptable”, Sethi said.

India and Pakistan were supposed to hold NSA level talks on 24th August but Sartaj Aziz cancelled his scheduled visit to New Delhi. Pakistan had said “pre-conditions” set by India was unacceptable and was the reason for the cancellation of talks.