India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary talks unlikely even in February

Uncertainty continues to loom over the Foreign Secretary (FS) level talks between India and Pakistan as both sides have been unable to come to an agreement on the issue. David Headley’s revelations on Pakistan’s involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks have further queered the pitch.

Top sources in the government said that though foreign secretaries and National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both countries are in touch, formal talks between the two sides appear unlikely in February. Senior officials told ET that though Headley has not revealed anything new, coming at the time that his deposition has, it is difficult for India to commit to any date for the talks.

Moreover, the fact that Pakistan has not acted either against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) or its chief Masood Azhar, post Pathankot terror attack, has made it difficult for India to enter into any kind of a formal dialogue. “Pakistan says that the ball is in India’s court to suggest dates for FS-level talks. Just now we refuse to play ball,” a top government official said.

The FS-level talks between the two countries were scheduled for January 15 in Islamabad. However, with JeM reportedly carrying out the attack on Pathankot airfield on January 1 and Pakistan not taking satisfactory action, talks were called off indefinitely.