Khurshid: Sartaj -Hurriyat meet may affect dialogue

New Delhi: In strong disapproval of the meeting between Pakistani prime minister's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz with Hurriyat leaders, India said Tuesday it would be "counter-productive" towards meaningful dialogue between the two countries.

Addressing the media, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also said India had "done a great deal" to build public opinion in favour of dialogue with Pakistan and such actions by Pakistan are not encouraging but counter-productive.

To a question on Sartaj meeting Hurriyat leaders Sunday, Khurshid said he did not want to give advice to his "colleague from across the border", and added that if Pakistan is serious about having a meaningful dialogue with India, it would be necessary to respect "India's sentiments, points of view and sensitivities of our country".

"This is not a dialogue that happens in isolation, this is a dialogue that is contextual and needs public support, and we think we have done a great deal to help the Pakistan government get the public support that it needs to be able to have a fair and transparent dialogue with India."

"The events in recent times are not seen by us or indeed by anybody in India as encouraging events. I think they are counter-productive and I would imagine if there is any seriousness in desire... for a meaningful dialogue to take place, conducive conditions have to be created, and it will have to be done by both sides. It cannot be only on one side."

"Some of these events have been somewhat counter-productive, unfortunately," Salman Khurshid said.

Salman Khurshid and Sartaj Aziz met for 35 minutes on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting here.

During the talks, India raised with Pakistan its concerns over heightened ceasefire violations and infiltration across the Line of Control.