Home India News Afghanistan, Balochistan not discussed: India

Afghanistan, Balochistan not discussed: India

By Sawar Kashani, IANS,

Thimphu: India’s role in Afghanistan and the Balochistan issue did not figure in the talks here Thursday between the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.

Rao said all bilateral issues including terrorism, water row and border dispute were discussed but Afghanistan and Balochistan were not when Manmohan Singh of India and Yousuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan met.

Islamabad accuses New Delhi of using Afghanistan to create unrest in Pakistan including Balochistan. India has denied the accusations, saying its focus in Afghanistan is on development and rehabilitation.

“Balochistan was not raised to the best of my knowledge. Pakistan is well aware that India doesn’t seek to interfere in the internal matters of Pakistan,” Rao said.

“No, the issue didn’t come up,” she said, when asked if Afghanistan figured in the discussions.