ISLAMABAD (AP) – Pakistan’s national security adviser said Saturday he was ready to travel to New Delhi for the first-ever direct talks with his Indian counterpart, though India warned his trip must be restricted to discussing security issues amid tensions over him meeting Kashmir separatists.
India recently invited Sartaj Aziz to speak Sunday to its national security adviser counterpart Ajit Doval after the prime ministers of the two nuclear-armed rivals met in Russia in July. Since then, Indian and Pakistani troops have fired at each other in the disputed border region of Kashmir.
Uncertainty about the trip began Friday when India said it would not be “appropriate” for Aziz to meet with separatist leaders from the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. Pakistan’s high commissioner to New Delhi had invited Kashmiri leaders for a meeting with Aziz.
On Saturday, Aziz said it was a normal practice on the part of Pakistani leaders to meet with Kashmiri leaders during visits to India.
“On my part, I am still prepared to go to New Delhi without any preconditions,” he said.