Doors To Talks Still Closed, India Asks Pak to Act on Terror First
Amid speculations of India’s considering resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, Union Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna has said that no talk with Pakistan is possible until it takes “concrete measures” to prevent terrorism directed against this country.
“We will not unless they (Pakistan) take concrete measures to prevent terrorist attacks emanating from the soil of Pakistan aimed against India,” Krishna told reporters when asked whether there was any move to resume dialogue with Islamabad.
His remarks put to a standstill all speculations that moves were underway to recommence dialogue with Pakistan in near future.
In an allusion to the release of Hafiz Saeed, chief of JuD and mastermind of Mumbai terror strike, Krishna said that “that only only shows that Pakistan is not serious about terror and all that terror spells out.”
In response to US advisory cautioning Americans to visit India, the minister said that home minister P Chidambaram has already said that India is safer than other countries.
“If there are any concerns of particular countries we are willing to address these concerns,” Krishna said.
The US advisory has said that India faces “high threat” from terrorism and Americans should be vigilant in this country.
On US President Barack Obama’s speech on Thursday in Cairo, Krishna said, “We will have to wait and watch. He has made a broad appeal. It was a reconciliatory speech and we will have to watch the reaction from the Islamic world.”
Obama, while trying to reach out to 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe, had talked about a “new beginning” between the US and the Islamic world based on “mutual respect”.
