India tells Pakistan to vacate 'Pakistan-occupied Kashmir'

New Delhi: India on Thursday read the riot act to Pakistan with foreign secretary S. Jaishankar saying that he “looks forward” to discussions with his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad on the issue of the earliest-possible vacation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India also made it clear that its foreign secretary expects a briefing from his Pakistani counterpart — if he visits Islamabad — on the progress made in bringing to justice Pakistanis involved in the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks.

The MEA said the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad handed over a letter to the Pakistan foreign office listing five points of concern on terrorism, including cessation of cross-border terrorism, ending incitement to violence, prosecuting terrorist leaders, closing down terror camps and denying safe haven to terrorists.

“In a letter dated August 16, foreign secretary has first of all underlined that Pakistan’s self-serving allegations made in their communication are rejected in their entirety by the  Government of India. Pakistan has no locus standi in respect of J&K, which is an integral part of our nation,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

“The ball is in Pakistan’s court now. They had made an offer, we have responded to the offer. It is up to them to carry it forward,” he added.

Given India’s clear focus on terror, and its firm stand that there will be no talks on the Kashmir issue, the MEA said that whether India accepts Pakistan foreign secretary’s invitation for talks or not now depends on Pakistan.

The Indian response also conveyed that detaining and prosecuting internationally recognised Pakistani terrorist leaders, who have been publicly active in exhorting and supporting violence in J&K, should be part of the talks besides closing down terrorist training camps.

On denial of permission by the Indian government to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to visit J&K, New Delhi said that it has been constructively engaged with the UN body to project a “correct picture” of the state.No decision has been taken so far on India’s level of participation at the Saarc finance ministers meet in Islamabad, the MEA said.

“The Indian mission in Geneva has been constructively engaged with the UN body to project a correct picture of J&K by highlighting the central role of cross-border terrorism and its glorification in the violent protests in the Valley. We have also stressed to UNHCHR the efforts and undivided attention of all organs of the Indian state for restoring normalcy in J&K in the face of incitement and support to terrorism from across our border. We will continue to encourage international community to uphold promotion,” he said.