India has categorically denied that there was a meeting between National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference, while Pakistan maintained that both indeed met amidst heightened tensions over cross-border terrorism and repeated ceasefire violations.

“This is to categorically state that there was no pull aside or bilateral meeting between the two,” Vikas Swarup, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, as the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process came to a close here on Sunday. Aziz and Doval did indeed meet and also had brief interaction as they were seated in the table during a dinner hosted by the Punjab government on Saturday night, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seated with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the head table, sources told BusinessLine .

Media reports emanating from Pakistan even suggested that Aziz and Doval had detailed meeting. The reports said they met after the dinner.

In fact, Aziz advanced his trip by a day only to attend the dinner. He was even seen shaking hands with the PM as both exchanged pleasantries. Aziz conveyed Sharif’s regards to PM Modi, who in turn sent his wishes to his Pakistani counterpart. Immediately after landing, Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wishing her speedy recovery from her illness.

But whether or not a meeting happened between Aziz and NSA, it was clear that the resumption of comprehensive bilateral dialogue (CBD) is far from being a reality, which includes including peace and security, Kashmir dispute, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, economic and commercial cooperation, counter-terrorism, narcotics control, humanitarian issues, people-to-people exchanges and religious tourism.

Ceasefire violations

A year ago during the last Heart of Asia conference it was decided that both sides will begin talks on the CBD, which was preceded by a meeting between NSAs of both countries in Bangkok. Following this, Aziz and Swaraj met again in Nepal in March this year, post the Pathankot attacks.

However, talks witnessed a sharp decline after terrorists, allegedly backed by Pakistan, attacked army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, in September, in which 18 soldiers were killed. Last month, another terror attack took place at an army camp in Nagrota, which resulted in the bilateral ties hitting nadir. Incidents of repeated ceasefire violations and Indian soldiers being beheaded have continued to rattle ties between both neighbours.

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