India ready to send top diplomat to Pakistan for talks on terrorism: sources

NEW DELHI: India is willing to send its top diplomat to Pakistan for talks focused on fighting cross-border terrorism, sources at India's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, after a spike in tension in the disputed northernmost region of Kashmir.

Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was willing to attend talks on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, the sources said, adding that they should focus on the situation in Kashmir.

The olive branch comes after 40 days of violent protests in Indian-occupied Kashmir that were sparked by the killing of Burhan Wani, a field commander of  Hizbul Mujahideen who enjoyed wide support, by Indian security forces.

At least 64 people have died and thousands been injured in clashes with security forces that have been denounced by Pakistan, which also claims the right to rule Jammu & Kashmir in a territorial dispute that dates back to partition in 1947.

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary had invited India to hold talks over the Kashmir issue on Monday.

The Indian sources made it clear, however, that India "rejects in their entirety the self-serving allegations regarding the situation in J&K, which is an integral part of
India."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ratcheted up tensions in his annual Independence Day speech on Monday, accusing Pakistan of glorifying terrorism.

And, in a tit-for-tat escalation in the war of words between the nuclear-armed neighbours, Modi said he had received messages of support from leaders in Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan.

— Additional reporting by Reuters