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Monday morning puzzle: Did Doval say talks with Pak has been cancelled or not?

Written by : TNM Staff

Much has been said about the Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan after the Pathankot terror attack, but no one seems to know if the talks are on or have been cancelled.

First, Hindi daily 'Dainik Bhaskar' publishing an article claiming to be 'National Security Adviser Ajit Doval's First Exclusive Interview On Pathankot And Pakistan'

According to the report, Ajit was quoted as saying "No talks before action. There is only one policy. Until Pakistan takes concrete action against the perpetrators and India isn’t satisfied with it, there will be no peace talks. This is why India has cancelled the January 15 Indo-Pak Secretary-level talks in Lahore."

To add to the confusion, NDTV reported on Monday, that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval told the media outlet that "we will talk only if Pakistan takes action." and quoted sources, while saying that 'this is the clearest sign yet that the talks are unlikely to go ahead'.

However, Doval has since told ABP News and ANI that he has not given any interview to Bhaskar and the rumour of cancellation of talks with Pakistan is wrong.

"I speak to journalists every day. But I do not remember giving any such interview. I strongly deny that I made such a statement," Doval said in a telephonic conversation to ANI.

A group of heavily-armed terrorists from Pakistan, struck at the Air Force base in Punjab's Pathankot on January 2, killing seven security personnel. The attack came just a week after the PM Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to Pakistan and met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. 

India has since said that Pakistan must deliver "prompt and decisive action" on the evidence provided on the terror attack.

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