If India’s Not Ready for Dialogue, Pak Can Wait: Envoy Abdul Basit

Tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate even as the Heart of Asia conference comes closer.

Abdul Basit, Pakistan High Commissioner (Photo: PTI)

Tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate even as the Heart of Asia conference – which Pakistan Foreign Adviser Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to attend – comes closer.

In an interview withThe Hindu, Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit spoke of the need to break the impasse between the two countries.

It is a slightly skewed approach to think India is doing a favour by having a dialogue process. Pakistan is not begging for dialogue. If India is not ready, we can always wait. We will continue to work to break the impasse, but we are very clear that a dialogue is the only way our countries can move forward.

Abdul Basit, Pakistan High Commissioner to <i>The Hindu</i>

Also Read: Heart of Asia Conference: Hope Pakistan Does its Homework Well

On Ceasefire Violations

Basit asserted that the 2003 ceasefire is a significant Confidence Building Measure (CBM) and should not be destroyed.

Last week, our DGMO took the initiative to speak to his Indian counterpart. We would very much like peace and tranquility to be preserved. I think this CBM should not be ended. We must preserve it and then consolidate.

The High Commissioner put forward Pakistan's reservations about the events that unfolded in Kashmir after Burhan Wani's killng on 8 July.

The feeling in Islamabad is that there is no desire for a comprehensive dialogue in Delhi. The problem with LoC firing is you blame us, and we blame you.

Also Read: 99 Ceasefire Violations by Pak Along LoC Post Surgical Strikes

On Terror Groups like LeT and JeM

Basit maintained that Pakistan has zero tolerance for terrorism and if there is any concrete proof against these organisations, India should share them. He added that Pakistan couldn't go by "speculation or hearsay."

We are ready to play our role, so long as this is done on the basis of irrefutable evidence. Even after Pathankot, Pakistan moved quickly and filed an FIR. That should be testimony to the seriousness of purpose, but they need a cooperative approach.

On Ties With US, Russia

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently had a conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump. Pakistani media reported the conversation to be a positive one where Trump called Sharif a "terrific guy."

Basit said Pakistan wants to have a good relation with the new government in the US.

What the US will do vis-a-vis India and Pakistan is not for me to say. At the end of the day any decision has to be taken by India and Pakistan rather than a third country. We have to take the difficult decisions. We can count on US and other countries to encourage us. But primary decisions lie between New Delhi and Islamabad.

He added that Pakistan's growing closeness with Russia is in no way a loss for India.

On the Indus Water Treaty

Basit asserted that the treaty is permanent and is not subject to change unilaterally.

We urge India to discuss their problems through dispute settlement mechanisms. And so far we have been able to resolve all our issues.

Also Read: Revoking Indus Waters Treaty Will Be an “Act of War”: Sartaj Aziz

(Source: The Hindu)