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'No meaningful talks possible if terrorism continues'
Friday, July 25 2003 16:14 Hrs (IST)

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New Delhi: Asserting that Pakistan's links with terrorism "have not ended", External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha has said no meaningful Indo-Pak dialogue is possible if terror attacks from across the border continue.

"We believe that Pakistan's links with terrorism have not ended," Sinha said in an interview to 'Khaleej Times' published on July 25.

"Since terrorism is not a divisible commodity, it is difficult to imagine how Pakistan can fully co-operate in the global war on terrorism without ending cross-border terrorism against India and dismantling its infrastructure of support in Pakistan," he said.

Sinha also expressed disappointment at the recent statements by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Kargil implying that militarism was part of his Kashmir strategy.

Asked about the possibility of official-level talks with Pakistan during the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Summit in Islamabad, Sinha said it was too early to comment on that.

"Unfortunately, infiltration from across the Line of Control and cross-border terrorism from Pakistan continue. There cannot be meaningful dialogue at any level if such attacks continue to take place," he said.

"We continue to monitor the ground situation vis-à-vis cross-border infiltration and infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as also Pakistan's response to the steps taken by us in pursuit of Vajpayee's peace initiative," he said, adding that further moves will hinge on India's assessment of the situation.

Commenting on Pakistan's suggestions for third party mediation on Kashmir, Sinha said, "It has been our experience that third parties bring along their own agenda to the table."

"India and Pakistan are well conversant with each other's position and views. We do not need any third party mediation," he said stressing that the Kashmir issue can be addressed in the framework of the Simla Agreement.

Sinha was highly appreciative of what he described as the "tremendous resonance generated (by India's peace efforts) among the people and the civil society in Pakistan" but equally critical of President Musharraf's response.

"It is true that we were deeply disappointed by some of the comments made by President Musharraf, especially his comments on Kargil and the implication that military adventurism of that nature is a legitimate instrument for furthering Pakistan's designs on Jammu and Kashmir," Sinha said.

PTI

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