Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has admitted that “intelligence level” talks were on with India, but denied reports of back channel dialogue saying a proper dialogue can take place only through the Foreign Office

Qureshi claimed that “intelligence level” talks between the two neighbours have ‘always existed”.

"Even when you are in a state of war, such talks always do take place," the minister told Geo News.

Qureshi said there was "no question" of not taking the nation into confidence. "But there is an appropriate time for everything."

Dwelling on the nature of talks at the intelligence level, the minister said during the regimes of Pervez Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif there was a "formal backchannel" in place, with people appointed to positions and multiple talks did take palce.

But that is not the case now, he said, The News reported.

There have been multiple reports in the Pakistan media about the backchannel talks between the two countries at the level of intelligence officials.

He said Pakistan has always desired a resolution to tensions between the two countries through dialogue but this was opposed by India.

 "India was the one that avoided a comprehensive dialogue. Pakistan was never the one to refuse it," he claimed.

"Two nuclear-armed nations cannot make the suicidal move of a war, so the one way forward is a dialogue. The atmosphere for dialogue was ruined by India and now must be improved by them. If they create a conducive environment, Pakistan is ready to engage," Qureshi said.

The minister asserted that whenever  a formal dialogue does take place, it would be through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is the "appropriate office" on such a matter.

He described as “false” reports that the United Arab Emirates had played a mediatory role for talks to be held between the two South Asian countries.

"I have just returned after meeting with the UAE foreign minister and he, too, says that for such an impression to have arisen is inappropriate and has rejected it," Qureshi said.

 (SAM)