'Foreign secretary-level talks may be deferred'

Islamabad, Jan 11: The foreign secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India could be deferred by New Delhi, a newspaper reported on Monday. This follows the January 2 terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot in Punjab which left seven security personnel dead. Security forces killed six terrorists who were believed to be from Pakistan.

The News Intertiol quoted “highly placed diplomatic sources” as saying there had been no information thus far about the visit of the Indian foreign secretary for the January 15 talks in Islamabad.

“It is likely that India would notify the postponement at the eleventh hour some time next week,” the daily said. No communication has taken place between Islamabad and New Delhi on the foreign secretary talks since the Pathankot attack, it said. Pakistan does not want the foreign secretary level talks to get derailed as they were expected to pave the way for a comprehensive composite dialogue covering all outstanding disputes including Kashmir, it added. (IANS)