The Newshour Debate: Pakistan Envoy Fumbles - Full Debate (20th August 2014)

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A defiant Pakistan made it clear that it will continue talking to Kashmiri separatists, saying that the "bottomline" for Indo-Pak talks on Kashmir issue was to engage all stakeholders, evoking a sharp reaction from India which accused it of adopting an approach different to the one laid down by Simla Agreement. Within hours of Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit justifying his meeting with Kashmiri separatists, saying "We need to engage with all stakeholders", Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said as per Simla Agreement it was a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and any other approach will "not yield results". The fresh round of sparring has raised doubts about theprospects of early resumption of the dialogue process for bringing the strained ties back on track. "We need to engage with all stakeholders. It is not a question of either, or as far as we are concerned. We are engaging with India to find peaceful ways," Basit said during an interaction with foreign journalists here while reacting to India's stand that Pakistan should either choose dialogue with separatists or Indian government. Justifying his meeting with the Kashmiri separatists, Basit said, "We strongly believe that our interaction ishelpful to the process itself. It is helpful to find peaceful solution to the problem. It is important to engage with all stakeholders. So that is the bottomline for us." India had called off the talks between Foreign Secretaries slated for August 25, telling Pakistan bluntly to choose between an Indo-Pak dialogue or hobnobbing with the separatists. At the same time, he said his country "attaches enormous importance" to its ties with India and that there was no need to be "pessimistic" about cancellation of the Foreign Secretary-level talks. Noting that Kashmir was a "bilateral dispute", he said there was no need to be "pessimistic" about cancellation of the Foreign Secretary-level talks and that both the countries should move forward.

Basit said Pakistan understands that it was a "complex situation" but added it was positive and will not allow distractions to come in the way of finding solutions to the problems. Basit said the Kashmir issue should be looked at "dispassionately" and asserted that the aim of his meetings with the Kashmiri separatists was to find a viable solution to the issue. He said Indian diplomats in Islamabad also meet people from all hues. But the Pakistan envoy parried a question on whether his government will allow Indian diplomats to meet local leaders from Baloch region. Amidst massive opposition and anger over Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit's meeting with separatist leaders. The Pakistan Envoy defends the meeting saying it is a routine practice to hold such meetings and when TIMES NOW asked straight forward questions, Basit failed to answer the 3 direct questions posed by TIMES NOW.

In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- G Parthasarthy, Former High Commissioner to Pakistan; Maroof Raza, Strategic Affairs Analyst; Lt. Gen. (Retd) Shankar Prasad, Defence Analyst; Zafar Hilaly, Former Pak Ambassador to US; Syed Tariq Pirzada, Strategic Affairs Analyst; Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Senior Advocate and President ,Watan Party -- discuss whether after the Pakistan envoy fumbled, it is time for a diplomatic freeze with Islamabad