Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Sartaj Aziz has for the first time conceded that the timing of the meeting between Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan's High Commissioner could have been different. Speaking to NDTV in New York he said Pakistan would not give up the right to meet with Kashmiri representatives but that the timing need not necessarily have been before the foreign secretary talks. He also said the Pakistan Army needs, and has been given an assurance, that a peace process with India would not result in a cut in its budget. Although he welcomed Prime Minister Modi's comments on dialogue with Pakistan, he also argued that the ball is now in India's court.