Islamabad:
Dialogue is the best option between Pakistan and India and the two
sides should not think in terms "foreclosing any options", a top
Pakistani official said on Thursday.
"During Prime Minister
(Narendra) Modi's visit to Pakistan in December last, it was decided
that the two Foreign Secretaries should meet soon. It is hoped that both
sides would work out modalities for the Foreign Secretary-level talks,"
Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said when asked if the word
"suspended" correctly defines the
current state of the bilateral peace process.
current state of the bilateral peace process.
"We
need to look ahead and not think in terms foreclosing any options. Both
sides are in contact with each other. Once the modalities are worked
out Secretary-level talks would take place," he said.
"Dialogue is the best option! Diplomacy is for interaction and engagement between countries," he said.
Zakaria's
comments came days after Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul
Basit said the bilateral peace process stands "suspended".
When
asked if the position in Islamabad is similar to Pakistan's High
Commissioner to New Delhi, he said, "There is a difference between
comments on day to day ground situation as compared to broader policy
and future vision and prospects. At our level here in the Ministry, we
do not give a day to day running commentary on official policy."
He
said Pakistan was committed to resolving all outstanding issues with
India through a sustainable, uninterrupted and meaningful dialogue
without any preconditions, in order to address each other's concerns,
and establish lasting peace.
On a question regarding the death
Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh in a Pakistani jail, Zakaria said he died
due to heart attack and preparation were underway to send his body to
India.
He said Singh was convicted by an anti-terrorism court for spying.
Representational image. IBN Live
"It is not appropriate to see everything through the prism of suspicion and conspiracy. He was kept in intensive care at the hospital but he could not survive," he said.
"We
have communicated this information to the Indian High Commission in
Islamabad. We are in contact with the Ministry of Interior and the India
High Commission with regard to transportation of dead body to India,"
he said.
India had raised the issue of Singh's mysterious death with Pakistan authorities and sought a probe into the matter.
On
Pathankot investigation, Zakaria said that the Joint Investigation Team
(JIT) after visiting India was "evaluating the information shared by
the Indian side" which is part of the ongoing investigation into the
Pathankot attack.
On a question about alleged Indian 'spy'
arrested in Pakistan on charges of terrorism, Zakaria said
investigations are still going on regarding Kulbhushan Jadhav and some
arrests were already made as a result of interrogation.
"As investigations continue more aspects related to this may come to light," he said.
He
said Pakistan expects that its neighbour would respect the sovereignty
and territorial integrity by refraining from any interference or
subversive activities.
The recent arrest and confessional
statement by the RAW’s officer has vindicated Pakistan’s position that
Indian state institutions are involved in conducting terrorist
activities in Pakistan, he claimed.
Zakaria said that Pakistan was
a peace-loving nation and maintenance of peace and stability in South
Asia is the cornerstone of Pakistan's policy.
"We are opposed to
conventional or nuclear arms race in the region. Pakistan's conventional
military and nuclear capability is solely for self-defense and we are
committed to credible minimum deterrence," he said.
He said there
was an increased understanding at the international level of Pakistan's
genuine concerns regarding rapidly growing Indian conventional and
nuclear capabilities and their offensive force postures and
military doctrines such as the Cold Start Doctrine.
He said Pakistan remains ready to discuss arms control and restraint measures with India.
"Our
proposal for Strategic Restraint Regime (SRR) can provide a basis for
mutually agreed restraint measures and avoidance of unnecessary arms
race in the region. We believe that the limited resources of Pakistan
and India should be channelled to meeting the social needs of our
people," he said.
He also expressed concern over recent violence in Kashmir.
"We expressed our deep concern on what is going on in Handwara," he said.
"We
have always condemned these violations and would continue to extend
political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people," he
said.
Zakaria said that the issue of unprovoked LoC ceasefire
violations are responded appropriately and also taken up strongly with
the Indian side.
"We believe in observance of 2003 LOC ceasefire
agreement. The issues related to the international borders, LOC and
Working Boundary are addressed in the spirit of rules of engagement on
ground. The mechanism of DG MOs' consultation plays an effective role,"
he said.