India for Meaningful Relationship if Pak Seriously Addresses Terror: President
Ahead of the foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan, India has said that it is prepared to explore a ‘meaningful’ relationship with Pakistan if it addressed the threat of terrorism seriously and stops terror against India, reported PTI.
In her joint address to both Houses of Parliament, President Pratibha Patil outlined India’s approach in the run up to talks between foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashimr on February 25, said report.
“India is ready to explore a meaningful relationship with Pakistan if Pakistan seriously addresses the threat of terrorism and takes effective steps to prevent terrorist activities against India,” she was quoted as saying.
It may be mentioned India is expected to focus on terrorism during the talks.
Patil also mentioned that cross border infiltration has gone up acacross the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir, said report.
“Government remains vigilant against all forms of challenges posed by terrorism. Zero tolerance of terrorist activities is our principal policy. We have to keep constant watch and innovate against global terrorist groups,” she was quoted as saying.
The President said that India has played its role in global affairs with responsibility and in the pursuit of peace, stability and progress in its region and beyond, report said.
Noting that India’s relations with the major powers have been further consolidated, she said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the United States in November last had laid the framework for the further expansion of Indo-US partnership at the bilateral, regional and global level.
