Wednesday, May 17 2006 16:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The role of ISI in the killing of Indian engineer K Suryanarayana in Afghanistan is being suspected, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today (May 17, 2006). "Though Pakistan has denied it, there are certain indications that the ISI is equally active. I am told that the ISI had its hands in this. In fact, one of the points we are trying to convey to Pakistan is that terrorists are friends of nobody," Mukherjee said during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha.

The Minister told TDP member C. Ramachandraiah that, "If the terrorists are against India today, they are equally against Pakistani establishment."

"What is happening within Pakistan is a clear eye opener to the fact that terrorists are friends of nobody. I do not know whether they are friends of themselves," he said.

Mukherjee said a clear message that emanates out of Suryanarayana's killings is that Talibans do not want India's participation in the development of Afghanistan.

"Therefore, they (Talibans) will try to create a situation where we respond in panic to the desire of Talibans and extremists," Mukherjee said.

On his level of confidence on normalising relations with Pakistan, Mukherjee told the member that it depended on the overall geo-political environment and security.

"Neighbours are there to be in our neighbourhood. Therefore, the policy, which I am trying to pursue, is that ifwe have to live with our neighbours, let us live in peace. Do not live in perpetual tension, live in peace, if possible," the Minister said.