ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India are expected to kick off foreign secretary-level talks in the first or second week of February, Indian media reported on Wednesday.
“The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India are expected to meet next month and the two sides are in touch for finalising the new dates,” India’s NDTV quoted a senior Pakistani official as saying.
“Islamabad and New Delhi are in touch to resume the talks and finalise a date. The final date will be announced after mutual consent whereas the meeting is likely to be held in Islamabad,” he said.
The secretary-level talks due to held on January 15 and 16 were cancelled after attack on Indian Airbase in Pathankot on January 2. The militants carried out an 80-hour long terror strike at the Indian Air Force Base in which at least seven security personnel and four assailants were killed.
In a press conference, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Spokesman Vikas Swarup said that the talks had been postponed with mutual consent and that new schedule would be announced soon.
On the same day, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said that Pakistan is in contact with India to determine new date of the meeting.
India welcomed Pakistan’s announcement of forming an investigation team over Pathankot attack and that Pakistan’s crackdown against the banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad is praiseworthy.