PM Narendra Modi may meet Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in September in New York

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan are exploring the possibility of resuming the dialogue to discuss outstanding issues after a possible meeting between prime ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif in New York this September. The ambitious plan hinges on successful conclusion of meetings, including between the national security advisors of the two sides, as agreed between Modi and Sharif in Ufa.

Resuming the structured dialogue is, however, easier said than done, officials said. The apparent breakthrough in Ufa was followed in quick succession by statements aimed at vitiating the atmosphere, firing at the border, accusations of Indian involvement in terror strikes, Pakistan PM’s special envoy’s trip to the US Congress to raise the pitch against India and, most recently and the terrorist attack in Gurdaspur.

The objective of the attack was to scuttle the NSA-level talks, scheduled to take place in Delhi in August, by forces in Pakistan that are opposed to Sharif ’s peace efforts, officials said.

Talks between AK Doval and Sartaj Aziz are on course, the government had earlier said. The September talks between the two PMs and launch of the process of structured dialogue will depend on NSA level talks as well as subsequent talks between director generals of BSF and Pakistan Rangers, officials said. Any disruptions in this regard will derail the process of normalisation of ties, they said.

There are apprehensions that terrorist groups and other elements with support from sections of the establishment in Pakistan may try to disrupt the process of rapprochement. Social media in Pakistan is abuzz with comments and remarks against Sharif for compromising Pakistan’s stand, particularly the omission of any mention of Kashmir in the joint statement issued at Ufa.