The Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan have been cancelled. The decision came after Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah met Abdul Basit in New Delhi this evening. The talks were scheduled to be held in Islamabad on 25th of this month.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh conveyed the decision to Pakistan High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit today. He said the Foreign Secretary conveyed in clear and unambiguous terms that Pakistan's continued efforts to interfere in India’s internal affairs are unacceptable.

Akbaruddin said that Pakistan High Commissioner's meeting with so-called separatist leaders undermines constructive diplomatic engagement initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the invitation by Basit to so-called leaders of the Hurriyat raises questions about Pakistan’s sincerity and shows that its negative approaches and attempts to interfere in India’s internal affairs continues unabated.

The spokesperson said the only path available to Pakistan is to resolve outstanding issues through a peaceful bilateral dialogue within the framework and principles of the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.
The Pakistan High Commissioner's invitation to separatists for talks in New Dehi today and tomorrow evoked sharp reactions with Congress terming it as unacceptable.

Party leader and former Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid criticized the government saying it has no clear stand on Pakistan.