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New Delhi: It was Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s first public statement, since the Foreign Secretary level talks were called off. And he made it clear that for his government, it wasn’t a question of an “either-Or” when it comes to speaking to Kashmiri separatist leaders, which of course was the Indian position.

“In Pakistan there is national consensus to promote normal relations with India and for that to happen I think t is important that we engage in a comprehensive and meaningful dialogue towards it. As far as Kashmiris are concerned they are legitimate stake holders in the process of finding peaceful solution to the problem,” said Basit.

That, of course, was despite the Indian government’s stand and the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin re-articulating India’s position, hitting back.

“After 1972 and the signing of the Simla Agreement by the Prime Minister of India and Prime Minister of Pakistan, there are only two “stakeholders” on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir – the Union of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This is a principle which is the bedrock of our bilateral relations. This was reaffirmed in the Lahore Declaration of 1999 between PM Nawaz Sharif and PM Vajpayee,” said Akbaruddin.

He also cited the Mumbai terror attacks, underlining the trust deficit which has characterised relations between the two countries.

“I think it was a right decision and it reflects the general mood of the people of India and also the fact that we want serious talks, we want serious business and which can only be held under a peaceful atmosphere,” said veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi.

While Pakistan’s High Commissioner tried to strike an optimistic note, saying he remained optimistic about dialogue, it remains to be seen how that process might be back on track and even if by next month, the two prime ministers will even be in a position to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.