Bangalore: Former Union Law Minister and Chairman of Kashmir Committee Ram Jethmalani said today (November 2) the Indian Government is not serious about normalising relations with Pakistan, and called for immediate resumption of talks between the estranged neighbours.

Addressing a function, Jethmalani said he is in contact with the people of Pakistan and India and both want peace but "our rulers are not seeing the opportunity".

Later, he reiterated his position while talking to reporters. "I don't think they (Indian Government) are really serious about seizing the opportunity...there has never been a more auspicious time to settle this dispute."

Replying to a question, he said he thought Pakistan promised to dismantle terror networks on its soil, adding he believed Islamabad has partly done so.

"Maybe, with greater sincerity they (Islamabad) could accomplish it (dismantling of terror networks) much better. But still we must take them at their word. We must meet them and tell them that some terrorism is persisting and let's sit down and decide how to stop it," he said.

Jethmalani added, "We can't make the dialogue (with Pakistan) subject to a veto by a few terrorists who are not even under the control of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf...dialogue will never take place."

He said the Kashmir Committee is engaged in "secret and valid work and we are sure we are doing an excellent work". The Committee believes it should do all the diplomatic work "without the press breathing down your neck".

PTI