Homeland Security

Indian PM Says No Peace Talks With Pakistan Until Mumbai Attacks Solved

By VOA News
16 July 2009

The prime ministers of Pakistan and India say action on combating terrorism should not be linked to their peace talks.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued the joint statement Thursday, after talks in Egypt aimed at easing tensions following last year's terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Movement summit in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Mr. Gilani said Wednesday he believes his nation's relationship with India has improved, adding that "a durable peace in South Asia is achievable."

In his address to the summit, Mr. Gilani cautioned that before peace can take hold, outstanding issues such as the status of the disputed Kashmir region must be resolved.

The Non-Aligned Movement summit opened Wednesday with the theme "International Solidarity for Peace and Development."

More than 50 heads of state are attending the conference. Many leaders there have called for emerging powers to play a more active role in shaping the world's economy.

The Non-Aligned Movement was formed by developing countries that chose not to align with either the United States or the Soviet Union in the era of Cold War politics. It held its first summit in 1961. The prime ministers of Pakistan and India have released a joint statement saying that action on combatting terrorism should not be linked to their broader peace talks.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.