BJP warns PM of taking eye off terror

NEW DELHI: With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh looking to engage his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani in Mohali on Wednesday, BJP leader L K Advani warned that the government should not take its eye off the terror threat emanating from across the border.

BJP underlined its 'dialogue-and-terror must be linked' argument, saying that while people-to-people contacts were welcome, talks could progress only if there was tangible progress in Pakistan clamping down on terror directed against India. This had to be the bottomline.

Advani's comments in Mumbai indicate the domestic limits that circumscribe Singh's options with Pakistan despite his apparent keenness to push the dialogue process. BJP's positioning impacts Congress's assessment as well as the ruling party is not keen to give its rival any leeway on national security.

BJP leaders are watching the Mohali developments carefully and do not want to overcommit themselves before seeing what exactly transpires at the meeting between Gilani and Singh.