Dialogue with Pakistan only in terror-free environment: India
July 30th, 2010 - 12:10 am ICT by IANS
New Delhi, July 29 (IANS) India Thursday reasserted that a “meaningful dialogue” with Pakistan is only possible in an environment “free of terror or threat of terror”, two weeks after their talks collapsed publicly.
“Government has consistently stated that the door for dialogue with Pakistan has never been closed and meaningful dialogue with Pakistan is possible only in an environment free of terror or threat of terror,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha here.
A question was asked by Rajya Sabha member Mani Shankar Aiyar whether the government is considering the possibility of restructuring the India-Pakistan dialogue.
On July 15, Krishna had met with Pakistan Foreign Minister S.M. Qureshi, but after the meeting, the Pakistani minister made public criticism of India’s attitude to talks over Indian Home Secretary G.K. Pillai’s linking the Mumbai attacks to Pakistan’s spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence.
India suspended the composite dialogue after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, accusing elements in Pakistan of planning and executing the entire operation. “The composite dialogue, resumed in 2004, was predicated on Pakistan’s solemn assurance to allow territory under its control for terrorism against India,” said Krishna.
- Ahead of Bhutan meet, India tells Pakistan again - act against terror - Apr 22, 2010
- Comparing Pillai with Hafiz Saeed ridiculous: Krishna (Lead) - Aug 05, 2010
- Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary talks is not part of composite dialogue: Krishna - Feb 24, 2010
- Comparing home secretary with Hafiz Saeed ridiculous: Krishna - Aug 05, 2010
- Indo-Pak talks - positive outcome or free-for all! - Jul 16, 2010
- Some Indian forces against reviving talks: Pakistan - Apr 24, 2010
- Dialogue useful, but action on 26/11 first: Pakistan told (Lead) - Apr 22, 2010
- Greater trust needed for composite dialogue with Pakistan: Krishna - Feb 26, 2010
- Congress slams Qureshi's comment as 'uncalled for' (Lead) - Jul 16, 2010
- BJP hits out at Qureshi, but disappointed with Krishna too (Second Lead) - Jul 16, 2010
- India, Pakistan harp on differing agendas ahead of talks (Round-up) - Feb 24, 2010
- India-Pakistan talks tripped by Kashmir, Balochistan (Fourth Lead) - Jul 16, 2010
- Thaw in India-Pakistan talks? Chidambaram on way (Lead) - Feb 03, 2010
- India should be tougher with Pakistan: BJP (Lead) - Jul 16, 2010
- I won't visit India for a pleasure trip: Qureshi (Lead) - Jul 18, 2010
Tags: attitude, composite dialogue, external affairs minister, foreign minister, free environment, home secretary, india pakistan, intelligence, inter services, krishna, mani shankar aiyar, meaningful dialogue, New Delhi, pillai, public criticism, qureshi, rajya sabha, reply, sabha member, spy agency
