CPI(M) criticises govt for calling off India-Pakistan talks

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) today criticised the government for calling off the Indo-Pak talks after Kashmiri separatists met Pakistan High Commissioner, saying the decision was "inexplicable" as these meetings could be held only after the authorities permitted them.

"Whenever some Pakistani leaders come, they (separatists) meet them and they do so in our country itself. And this is not possible without the permission of our government," senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said here.

"Why did it permit the meeting first? And after giving the permission, to call off the (Indo-Pak) talks is inexplicable. It can't be understood," he said.

India had yesterday cancelled the talks between Foreign Secretaries in Islamabad on August 25, telling Pakistan bluntly to choose between an Indo-Pak dialogue or hobnobbing with the separatists. It strongly objected to consultations Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had with separatist Hurriyat leaders.