Islamabad: Three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif agreed that the 26/11 trial should be speeded up, Pakistan has lobbed the ball back in India's court saying it wants "more information and evidence".
Mr Sharif's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz controversially also said today that the Pakistani premier had raised the issues of Balochistan and the Samjhauta blast probe during his talks with PM Modi on Friday in Ufa, Russia.
"Sharif raised concerns on all issues (With Modi), including India's alleged interference in the internal matters of Pakistan, particularly its continuing support for insurgency in Balochistan," said Mr Aziz.
Stating that the talks were held on India's request, the top Pakistani official said Mr Sharif had also asked for details on the probe into the 2007 Samjhauta train blast, in which 68 people were killed, mostly Pakistani.
Over the weekend, Nawaz Sharif has faced anger in his country over the absence of "Kashmir" in the joint statement following the talks. His advisor's statements today were seen as an attempt at addressing that criticism.
"We will continue to extend political, moral, and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren. For Pakistan, Kashmir of course tops the list of outstanding issues with India," Mr Aziz said, adding that there can be no dialogue without Kashmir on the agenda.
An agreement on accelerating the trial against seven accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, including mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, was seen as one of the biggest takeaways of the talks.
But Mr Aziz said: "On Mumbai trial case, our view has been, and was so in this meeting as well, that we need more evidence and information to conclude the trial. The reference to 'additional information' is recognition of the need that more information is needed to expedite the trial."
The Congress said it was apparent that the talks on Friday were no breakthrough. "Those who were calling it that should be surprised," said Congress leader Ajay Maken.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: "Ufffff, Ufa is already unraveling. That was quick even by Indo-Pak standards."
Mr Sharif's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz controversially also said today that the Pakistani premier had raised the issues of Balochistan and the Samjhauta blast probe during his talks with PM Modi on Friday in Ufa, Russia.
"Sharif raised concerns on all issues (With Modi), including India's alleged interference in the internal matters of Pakistan, particularly its continuing support for insurgency in Balochistan," said Mr Aziz.
Over the weekend, Nawaz Sharif has faced anger in his country over the absence of "Kashmir" in the joint statement following the talks. His advisor's statements today were seen as an attempt at addressing that criticism.
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An agreement on accelerating the trial against seven accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, including mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, was seen as one of the biggest takeaways of the talks.
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The Congress said it was apparent that the talks on Friday were no breakthrough. "Those who were calling it that should be surprised," said Congress leader Ajay Maken.
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