Qureshi accuses India of 'narrowing down' talks

ISLAMABAD A day after peace talks collapsed, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Friday took a dig at his Indian counterpart, stating that the latter was receiving foreign policy directions from New Delhi repeatedly during their meeting held on Thursday. Qureshi's criticism came hours after External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told the media in Islamabad that he was 'satisfied' with talks, and that India would take the process forward during Qureshi's New Delhi visit later this year. Talking to media men in the premises of the Foreign Office on Friday, Foreign Minister, in a subtle move to put blame on India for the 'apparent failure' of the Indo-Pak talks, said that India was not fully prepared for the talks. "Let me tell you gentlemen, Indians were ill-prepared for talks and that it was one of the main factors that kept us away from reaching any conclusion," Qureshi told journalists. Qureshi failed to give a satisfactory reply when reporters asked him why he did not disclose that during Thursday's joint press conference. Qureshi told media men during the press conference that was called on a short notice that Pakistan had 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 must say talks cannot move forward," said Qureshi. Accusing Indian side of narrowing the talks, Qureshi said Pakistan insisted Indian side to resume Composite Dialogue and added that India had to understand Pak concerns. "India was narrowing the dialogue and we said you cannot be selective," Qureshi said. "We understand India's concerns and want to address them. But Pakistan also has its concerns and core issues which should be understood by India", added Qureshi. He told the reporters that Indians were conveyed that Pakistan wanted a roadmap for the future but they (Pakistani side) felt they (Indian) did not have the mandate to commit to a roadmap. Qureshi further said that India was not ready to discuss specifics related to bilateral issues bedevilling ties between the two countries, and added that Islamabad was in no hurry to engage New Delhi again unless the dialogue is result oriented. "Pakistan is ready for talks but dialogue should be substantive, meaningful and result-oriented. Pakistan's people and Kashmiris cannot be de-linked from the situation in Jammu & Kashmir," Qureshi said.

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