Sushma Swaraj holds talks with UK counterpart; Indo-Pakistan ties figure

LONDON: India today briefed the UK about the new government's initiatives to break out of a mould in which Indo-Pak relations have been stuck in the past and made it clear that it will continue the peace process but in an atmosphere bereft of any violence.

The issue of India-Pakistan ties came up during bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her British counterpart Philip Hammond.

In reference to regional issues, the UK reiterated its stand on India-Pakistan resolving their issues bilaterally.

"The External Affairs Minister did explain to her counterpart the Indian approach to this entire issue. She explained how initiatives were taken by the new government to break out of a mould that India-Pakistan relations had been in the past," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters here at a briefing on the sidelines of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's overtures towards Pakistan, he said, "We had even agreed to hold secretary-level talks in Pakistan but she (Swaraj) explained that what we felt was that while we were preparing for these talks Pakistan for some inexplicable reason, had made a spectacle of these talks by talking with separatists."

"We will continue the process but it will require a peaceful atmosphere bereft of any violence," Akbaruddin said.

India and Pakistan have been trading heavy mortar and gun fire along the international border and LoC since October 1.

Closer cooperation between India and the UK over the global threats of terrorism and Ebola virus also featured high on the agenda of bilateral talks between Swaraj and Foreign Secretary Hammond.

"Islamic State (IS) and threat it poses to international peace and security was discussed and the External Affairs Minister pointed out that India abhors terrorism in all forms," Akbaruddin said.

Asked if the UK had sought greater cooperation from India on tackling the IS threat, he said, "No specifics were discussed."

In relation to dealing with the global threat posed by the Ebola virus, Akbaruddin said India assured the UK of its commitment.

"India has been at the forefront of tackling this evolving issue and committed USD 12.5 million. The two ministers focused on what next and what more can be done," the Spokesperson said.

Asked about Prime Minister Modi's plans to visit the UK, the Spokesperson said that he had accepted the invitation from Prime Minister David Cameron "in principle" but a date is yet to be decided for a visit in 2015.