India did not allow Pak to raise Balochistan in Home Secy talks
India did not let Pakistan raise the issue of insurgency in Balochistan during the Home Secretary level talks that have just concluded despite an attempt in this direction by the neighbouring country's delegation.
When Pakistan Home Secretary Chaudhary Qamar Zaman raised the issue of India's alleged involvement in the conflict in Balochistan, Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai politely told him that the Ministry of Home Affairs does not have the mandate to discuss the topic and the talks should specifically focus on terrorism.
Zaman accepted Pillai's explanation and moved forward to discuss other issues.
Reference to Balochistan in the joint statement issued by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in July 2009 had created an uproar in India as New Delhi had been strongly denying its involvement in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.
The Home Secretaries of India and Pakistan met for two days on March 28 and 29 in New Delhi to discuss bilateral issues.
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