NSA-level talks: Sartaj Aziz will go to India if not stopped, says Pakistan Information Minister: Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz says he is still ready to travel to New Delhi for Sunday's security talks with his counterpart despite fresh tensions between the longtime adversaries. (Source: AP)
Pakistani media on Sunday blamed India for the cancellation of first-ever NSA-level talks by setting "pre-conditions" ahead of National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz's visit to New Delhi, in a blow to the efforts to normalise their bilateral ties.
Aziz was expected to discuss terrorism and other outstanding issues with his counterpart Ajit Doval but he called off the trip after India asked Pakistan to give a commitment that he would not meet Kashmiri separatist leaders.
All leading newspapers carried the story about the cancellation of NSA-level talks on the front page, highlighting the Indian "pre-conditions" which, according to local media, led to the breakdown of parleys.
In a front page headline "NSAs' talks cancelled over Indian conditions", the Dawn blamed Indian conditions for the cancellation of talks.
"Amid intense bickering, the government decided on Saturday to cancel the planned meeting of national security advisers with India, citing New Delhi's refusal to allow an expanded agenda and a meeting with Kashmiri leaders," it said.
The News International under the headline "No talks with pre-conditions, Pakistan tells India" reported that "without waiting to burn the midnight oil and succumbing to 'orders' from New Delhi, Pakistan responded to the 'hilarious' Indian directives by saying that it will not attend the NSA level talks on the basis of preconditions set by India."