Irked with Pakistan's invite to Kashmiri separatists, India says no to composite dialogue

New Delhi: Amid simmering tension over Pakistan's invite to Kashmiri separatist leaders for a meeting with its National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz, reports on Friday said that the Government of India is not in favour of holding a composite dialogue with the neighbouring country.

Media reports today said that in view of Pakistan's 'we care a damn about India's objection', the upcoming talks between Aziz and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval is likely to focus mainly on terror related activities, leaving many others issues of concerns between the two sides.

Importantly, the Ministry of External Affair (MEA) has also advised Sartaz Aziz not to meet the Kashmiri separatists as it would vitiate the political atmosphere ahead of the crucial talks. Here is what MEA spokesperson Vokas Swaroop tweeted this morning.

India has advised Pakistan yesterday that it would not be appropriate for Mr. Sartaz Aziz to meet with Hurriyat representatives in India

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 21, 2015

Such a meeting would not be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Ufa understanding to jointly work to combat terrorism. — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 21, 2015

We have also sought confirmn of our proposed agenda for the NSA level talks that was conveyed to  the Pakistani side on 18 Aug 2015. — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 21, 2015

After the arrest and subsequent release of the Hurriyat leaders by the J&K government, both sides have hardened their positions on the separatists ahead of the August 24 talks between the National Security Advisers.

The house arrest and release of Hurriyat leaders – within two hours - in Srinagar on Thursday had added a fresh twist to the diplomatic tussle between Delhi and Islamabad, with the former terming the proposed meeting between Aziz and Kashmiri separatists as ''a grave provocation'' and an unfazed Pakistan deciding to go ahead with meeting.

“All options are open as we see this (inviting Hurriyat) as a provocative step. One option could be preventing Hurriyat leaders from meeting Aziz, which would put the onus on Pakistan to call off the talks, if they feel so,” an official was quoted as saying.

Pakistan's NSA Aziz is scheduled to arrive in the national capital on August 23 and will meet Hurriyat leaders at a reception at Pakistan House — the High Commissioner’s residence — that evening.

Importantly, the two NSAs will meet the next day for talks.

Home Ministry sources said “as of now” the government is “unlikely to allow” Hurriyat leaders’ meeting with Aziz.

The timing of the talks with the Hurriyat, which India sees as a third party with no role in bilateral ties, is crucial to the NSA talks.

While India wants the Pakistan NSA to meet the separatists after his talks with Doval. For Pakistan, meeting the Hurriyat leaders first is important as “their inputs would help them in talks”, where Aziz will raise the Kashmir issue.

New Delhi has now decided to focus mainly on terrorism during the NSA level talks after Pakistan's defiant attitude.

In a sign of growing dissidence, a section of BJP leaders have also voiced concerns that it would be “futile” to hold NSA talks if Aziz were to meet the separatists first.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also cancelled the Commonwealth parliamentary conference due to tensions with India, just days before their top-level security officers are meant to meet in Delhi.

Last year, India had called off foreign secretary-level talks after the Pakistani high commissioner ignored Delhi’s warning and went ahead with a meeting with the separatists. The government, sources said, had the option of detaining the Hurriyat leaders in Srinagar or in Delhi. The Centre may be forced to rethink the option after what played out in Srinagar.