Talks with Pak only when terror infrastructure dismantles: India

New Delhi, Nov 4 : Trashing allegations of fomenting trouble in Pakistan, India today reiterated its stated position and said any meaningful dialogue with the western neighbour was ''realistically possible'' only when it did away with the terror infrastructure on its soil.

Speaking at a seminar on South Asia this morning, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said India has conveyed to Pakistan its desire to engage in meaningful dialogue on several occasions but any ''meaningful dialogue'' with that country was possible only after it dismantled the terror infrastructure on its soil.

''We have conveyed many times our desire to engage in meaningful dialogue with Pakistan,'' she said, adding that Pakistan must fulfil its commitment not to allow its territory to be used for terror activities against India.'' The Foreign Secretary also called upon the international community to exert its influence on Pakistan in curbing extremist elements flourishing on its territory and said terror in India and neighbouring countries (like Afghanistan) was being propped and supported by ''contiguous areas'' emanating from the Indian neighbourhood.

To a query on Pakistan's allegations of India's alleged involvement in creating disturbance in that country and that it had evidence to prove that India was funding separatists in Waziristan, Ms Rao said, ''There is no factual basis to these allegations. We have always wanted good relations with Pakistan.'' Yesterday, even External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had brushed aside allegations of India aiding and abetting terrorists in Pakistan made by its military spokesperson.

The Pakistani military spokesperson had alleged that its security personnel had seized India-made arms and other material, including medical equipment, from South Waziristan where the Taliban were concentrated.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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