Army still rules Pakistan: VK Singh on Imran Khan 

Speaking on the sidelines of a FICCI event in New Delhi General VK Singh said, "Did you all expect a change? I don't know. After all, the person has been propped up by the (Pakistan) army. The army still rules. So, let's wait and watch how things go -- whether the person remains under army control or doesn't remain under its control.”

On India Pakistan talks, the minister reiterated India's official policy that talks and terror cant go together. He said, "our policy very clear..dialogue will happen provided the environment made conducive for that.. and we stick to that".

The strong statement comes at a time when even though Pakistan has been saying it wants talks with New Delhi, it has been raking up Kashmir at various global forums. Its permanent representative at the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi recently raised Kashmir and was given a strong reply by India's Syed Akbaruddin who said, 'new government of Pakistan rather than indulge in polemics" should "work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asian region, free of terror and violence".

The US has also weighed in on the prospects of Indo Pakistan dialogue but has raised Indian concerns on cross-border terror for talks to happen. Responding to a question by WION on the US take on Indo Pakistan talks, Ambassador Alice Wells Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia said " In General, US supports India Pakistan dialogue" but raised Indian concerns of cross-border terror.

All eyes will be on United Nations general assembly (UNGA) session next week where Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be speaking and take part at the SAARC FMs meet.

Kartarpur border: No proposal received from Pakistan

Referring to reports of proposals to open the Kartarpur border crossing for Sikh pilgrims, Singh said India has “not received any proposal” from Pakistan to open the route.

“Nothing has come from the government's (Pakistan) side. This issue has been going on for a very long time. If anything comes about we will let you know," he said.

The Kartarpur route, along India-Pakistan border, is nearly three kilometres away from Gurdaspur, Punjab. If opened, it will allow Sikh pilgrims a direct access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The idea though an old one, got a fresh lease of life when Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu met Pakistan army chief during oath-taking ceremony of new Pakistan PM Imran Khan.