After Pakistan’s NSA Sartaj Aziz said he is willing to participate in the NSA level talks in India, but without pre-conditions, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said NSA would discuss on terrorism as decided in Ufa, Russia.

Dismissing Mr. Aziz’s claims that India wants to run away from talks, Ms. Swaraj said, “We made it clear on August 18 no agenda beyond terrorism at talks. After Ufa talks, there were 91 ceasefire violations, including Gurdaspur and Udhampur,” she noted, adding, “Even after the terror incidents we didnt call off talks as we need to talk about terror.”

Reading out the Ufa statement, Ms. Swaraj said NSAs are supposed to discuss terrorism. “Pakistan took three weeks to respond to our proposed meeting draft agenda and added several issues to it,” she pointed out.

‘No third party involvement’

Responding to Pakistan NSA’s proposed meeting with Hurriyat leaders, Ms. Swaraj said India had always maintained that there would be no third party in India-Pak talks. The Hurriyat cannot be a party.

“Pakistan is running away from talks, which will be held only when we get a reply. Time available is only tonight,” she said.