New Delhi: As Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage arrives in New Delhi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on May 9 asked the government to emphatically tell the US to keep its hands off Indo-Pak ties even as it demanded that return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) should be the basis of any "political" dialogue with Islamabad.

Without directly naming US or Armitage, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav told reporters, "There is a beeline of foreign dignitaries visiting New Delhi and Islamabad...However, we have to keep in mind that they are indirectly trying to give an impression to the world that they were involved in the efforts to resolve Indo-Pak disputes."

"It has to be borne in mind that the contribution of the very same external forces is not small in perpetuating the Indo-Pak dispute in the last five decades. We need to make it emphatically clear that Indo-Pak issues are purely bilateral and there is no scope for third party intervention at all."

Alleging that the Pakistani "efforts" to restore normalcy in bilateral ties were "insincere and being made only to please someone", he said had they been sincere, they would have allowed overflights of Indian planes and opening of the Consular office in Karachi.

Endorsing the government resolve to enter into a dialogue with Pakistan subject to its putting an end to cross-border terrorism, Madhav said, "Without finding a solution to Kashmir as per the unanimous 1994 Parliament resolution seeking return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India, no political relation can be established between the two countries."

He, however, said RSS was not opposed to restoration of cultural, sporting and aviation ties with Pakistan.

PTI