India and Pakistan formally announced on Friday that they would hold the foreign secretary-level talks in New Delhi on February 25.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir telephoned his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao, accepting India’s offer for talks in New Delhi.

“Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir telephoned Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao today to convey acceptance of India’s invitation to hold foreign secretary-level talks,” an External Affairs Ministry statement said.

BJP criticises PC

The BJP reacted sharply to Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement welcoming the proposal of allowing return of Indians from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“We condemn the statement of Chidambaram welcoming the proposal of J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah... It is downright legitimisation of infiltration,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.