‘Protests in Pakistan affect bilateral talks with India’

New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS) With protests continuing against the Nawaz Sharif government in Pakistan, India is likely to limit its engagements with that country, a foreign policy think tank said on Wednesday.

“Until the situation stabilises, India is likely to limit its engagements with Pakistan, thereby stalling any progress in the bilateral.

“The evolving situation along the Line of Control and the international border is also an important element for India to consider because it will have a significant impact on the security situation in the Kashmir Valley,” said Sameer Patil, associate national security fellow at Gateway House.

The Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations is a foreign policy think tank in Mumbai.

“While Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to build positive relationships with other countries, the future of the India-Pakistan bilateral does not appear promising,” he said.

“Protests in Pakistan, which began in mid-August have produced an opportunity for the Pakistani army to play a more dominant role in the country’s politics, jeopardising democratic institutions in Pakistan,” he said.