India, Pakistan foreign secretary-level talks cancelled

NEW DELHI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) — The foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan have been cancelled, India’s official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Thursday.
The talks were scheduled to take place on Friday.
“Pakistan today said that there would be no foreign secretary-level talks tomorrow between India and Pakistan,” the broadcaster said.
AIR quoting Pakistan foreign office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah saying that mutual consultations were on about rescheduling the talks.
Indian government is yet to formally announce its decision on the proposed talks.
Reports said a meeting was held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday over the fate of talks and final call would be taken Thursday after the return of Modi’s security advisor Ajit Doval’s from France.
The disruption in the talks is seen as a direct fallout of an attack on Indian airbase in Punjab earlier this month.
Indian officials blame Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant outfit for the attack.
A statement issued by Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it has made considerable progress in the investigations carried out against terrorist elements reportedly linked to the Pathankot incident.
“Based on the initial investigations in Pakistan, and the information provided, several individuals belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad have been apprehended. The offices of the organization are also being traced and sealed,” the statement issued by ministry read.
India however said it was yet to receive confirmation of the detention of Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Maulana Masood Azhar.  Enditem