From half-cooked homework of Modi govt to Pak prank: How leaders reacted to NSA talks being called off

After much deliberation, the NSA talks between India and Pakistan were finally called off on Saturday, with both sides sticking to their positions. In a late night statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office said it has “come to the conclusion that the NSA talks would not serve any purpose if conducted on the basis of the two conditions” laid down by India – a clear signal calling off the talks. [caption id=“attachment_2401892” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI image.[/caption] In reply, India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted: “Pakistan’s decision is unfortunate. India did not set any preconditions. “We only reiterated that Pakistan respect the spirit of the Simla & Ufa Agreements to which it was already committed,” he said. Pakistan’s statement came in response to India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s press conference in which she said Pakistani National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz was welcome to come to India for talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval but Islamabad must abide by the agenda agreed to at Ufa and only discuss terrorism. Following the statements from both the sides and the official announcement of the cancellation of the talks, political figures and the media weighted on the issue, mostly in disappointment. Pakistan daily Dawn, in an editorial held both Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the outcome. “While it was obvious that neither side wanted to be seen to officially call off talks, it was also patently clear that neither side was willing to do much to rescue them in Delhi,” the daily said. Many also blamed the military interference that has seeped into the Pakistan political scene and an unwillingness from both sides to peruse the talks, letting to collide easily. Even the United States made a statement saying it was “disappointed” that the proposed talks between the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan has been called off. “We are disappointed the talks will not happen this weekend and encourage India and Pakistan to resume formal dialogue soon,” state department spokesperson John Kirby told PTI. Here are some reactions to the exchanges that took place over the past days leading to the cancellation of the talks: Rajnath Singh (BJP): “It is unfortunate that Pakistan has called off the talks. India wanted to have talks. They should have fixed the agenda beforehand. Kashmir was never on the talks agenda. India wants to have good relations with its neighbours. Pakistan’s decision is unfortunate. India did not set any preconditions. We only reiterated that Pakistan respect the spirit of the Shimla and Ufa (Russia) agreements.” Yashwant Sinha (BJP): “We should not engage with Pakistan unless you are absolutely certain of the outcome… I repeatedly tell (this to) my interlocutors with all my experience in dealing with Pakistan… it is not possible to talk with Pakistan. Because Pakistan is in a constant state of denial and will not accept any allegation even that ‘jinda saboot’ our external affairs minister talked about.” Sharad Yadav (JD-U): “Cancellation of the India-Pakistan talks is a result of half-cooked homework of the central government.” Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (PDP): “Last-minute cancellation of the NSA-level bilateral meeting between our country and Pakistan is a great disappointment. Escalation of firing along the Line of Control (LoC), coupled with incidents of terrorism, are matters of serious concern to us here, as much as they are in the rest of the country.” Manish Tewari (Congress): “Pakistan and India were not indulging in a dialogue, they were playing a long distance verbal ‘Kabaddi’ match. The only gainer out of this whole process has been the Hurriyat which has got undeserved publicity.” Anand Sharma (Congress): “No logic of NSA talks until Pak takes forward trail of Mumbai terror accused to satisfactory conclusion. India came across as very eager to host NSA talks & Pakistan being reluctant.” Salman Khurshid (Congress): “We have really been taken for a ride by Pakistan and I can only hold our own government responsible for this.” Nalin Kohli (BJP): “It confirms that Pakistan is not serious on issue of terrorism.” RP Rudy (BJP): “This prank which is expected and has been played by Pakistan is very unfortunate. Intent is obvious now that they (Pakistan) are not interested in talking on terror.” Sanjay Raut (Shivsena): “Pakistan bhaag gaya hai darr ke maare (Pakistan ran away out of fear).” With inputs from PTI and IANS.