Military

Talks with Pakistan useful: India

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 25, IRNA -- Describing the talks with Pakistan as useful, detailed and candid, Indian Foreign Secretary Thursday said, “Meeting with Pakistan counterpart, Mr. Salman Bashir constitutes the first step towards rebuilding trust, erased by the Mumbai terror attack".

Briefing media persons in New Delhi, Nirupama Rao said that time is not yet ripe for resumption of composite dialogue with Pakistan. However the two sides have agreed to remain in touch and continue efforts to restore trust.

She said that the Pune attack which is still being investigated is another reminder that the citizens in the country remain vulnerable to terrorist violence.

The Indian side said that Pakistan has not taken enough steps to bring perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice , to unravel the full conspiracy behind 26/11 and award exemplary punishment to all culprits. India also stressed the importance of expeditious action by Pakistan on these issues including following up on the leads that have emerged after the arrest of David Coleman Headley and Tahawuur Hussain Rana.

It was also pointed out that Mumbai attack was of a larger problem of continued existence and unhindered activities of organisations, such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jamaat-Ud-Dawa, Hizbul Mujahideen for perpetrating terrorist violence against India.

New Delhi also called upon Pakistan to investigate the claims made by Lashkar-e-Toiba Al-Almi and another one by Ilyas Kashmiri who have owned responsibility for the Pune Blast.

The issue of terrorist infiltration and cease fire violations across the line of Control and International Border was also raised.

Issue of Kashmir was raised briefly by Pakistani side . India reiterated its position on the issues raised by Pakistan Foreign Secretary.

The issue of water sharing was also raised and both sides agreed that Indus Water Treaty is a useful mechanism for resolving issues. Pakistan also raised the issue of Baluchistan.

After 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Foreign Secretaries of the two countries have been meeting on the sidelines of various multi-lateral events. The last formal meeting between the Foreign Secretaries was held in May 2008.

Bashir who arrived here yesterday has said, "I have come here to bridge the differences. I am hopeful of a positive outcome."

Bashir is also scheduled to call on External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon.

Prior to Mumbai attacks, the composite dialogue which was launched in 2004 had made considerable progress during the four rounds.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 980650