India refutes Pakstani official's claim, says no message for talks sent

India said the environment is not conducive for talks.

Talking to reporters at the regular media briefing, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava was quoted as saying by ANI that the senior Pakistani official had commented on India's internal affairs. 

"We have seen reports on the interview by a senior Pakistani official to an Indian media outlet. He has commented on India's internal matters. As always, this is Pakistan's effort to divert attention from domestic failures of the present government and mislead its domestic constituents by pulling India into headlines on a daily basis," he said.

"The statements made by him are contrary to facts on the ground, misleading and fictitious. As regards the purported message, let me make it clear that no such message was sent from our side," he said.

"The Pakistani leadership continues to indulge in inappropriate, provocative and hate speech against India. Such support to terrorism against India and use of derogatory and abusive language is not conducive to normal neighbourly relations," he said.

Speaking to The Wire, Pakistani official Moeed Yusuf said India has sent a message expressing a desire for talks.

“We have got a message for a desire for conversation” said Moeed Yusuf, but refused to divulge further details.

In a wide ranging, 75-minute interview to The Wire that was often quarrelsome and aggressive and even, at times, no holds barred, Yusuf told Karan Thapar, “We must sit down like adults.”

He said there are two issues, Kashmir and terror, and added “I want to talk about both.”

He said Pakistan “stands for peace and we want to move forward”.