Thaindian News

New York, Sep 28 (IANS) Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna conveyed New Delhi’s serious concerns about Pakistan-based militant groups to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi during what he called “useful, constructive and candid” talks here Sunday.
“We told Pakistan that India still has serious concerns about terror groups there and underlined the need for concrete and effective steps against these entities,” he told reporters after a 100-minute meeting with Qureshi.

Implicitly rejecting Pakistan’s suggestion to look beyond Mumbai and resume full-fledged peace talks stalled by last year’s terrorist attacks, Krishna told Qureshi that any meaningful dialogue process needs an environment free from violence.

While Pakistan, he was told, has taken some steps against those behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Krishna underlined that a case against the attacks’ alleged mastermind, Jammat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, also concerns India.

India had apprised Qureshi of Pakistan-based terror groups, he said maintaining they posed a threat to India. “He assured us that they would not allow their soil be used against India and that strict action would be taken against Mumbai attacks culprits,” Krishna said.

He said India will monitor the action taken by Pakistan against culprits involved in the Mumbai attacks, adding the elements involved in the incidents are present in Pakistan.

India also turned down a Pakistani suggestion for “back-channel” talks with Pakistan saying that if a front channel is open, there was no need of a back-channel.

The issue of Balochistan did not come up during the meeting, he said.

Sunday’s was the fourth bilateral meeting between India and Pakistan on the sidelines of international gatherings since June.

Qureshi and Krishna smiled as they shook hands posing for photographs before the start of their meeting. “I am shaking hand and I’m shaking it very firmly,” quipped Qureshi.

The foreign ministers’ meeting was preceded by a meeting between the foreign secretaries, India’s Nirupama Rao and Pakistan’s Bashir Malik, Saturday.