India on Wednesday wrote to Pakistan, saying New Delhi was ready to discuss terrorism that "emanates from the soil of the neighbouring country" and targets not just India, but other countries in the region, as well. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, in his response to his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Chaudhry's August 19 invite, reiterated India's stand that Islamabad must move out of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, according to The Indian Express.

The letter was the fourth one exchanged between the two sides since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech. His mention of Balochistan in the address attracted reactions from various sections in both countries.

On August 16, Chaudhry wrote to Jaishankar, inviting him to discuss the ongoing Kashmir unrest as per a resolution passed by the United Nations, which has also called for a plebiscite in the region. In his reply, the Indian foreign secretary said New Delhi was ready for talks, but only about Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, not Kashmir.

The Pakistan official wrote back on August 19, saying terrorism from India was also a concern for the Nawaz Sharif government. The last response to Pakistan was sent after consultations with top officials from the Home Affairs Ministry. The letter was cleared by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, reported Hindustan Times.