Talks after Islamabad acts to contain terror: PM

SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said meaningful talks with Pakistan would be possibly only after Islamabad stops letting its territory to be used for acts of terror against India.

Speaking at a convocation ceremony at the agriculture university here on Monday, Mr Singh reminded Pakistan that “destiny of our people is linked to each other.” A strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan is in the interest of our whole region.

Admitting that the relations between the two countries were under the shadow 26/11, Mr Singh said when he met his Pakistani counterpart in Thimpu, in May, both sides acknowledged there was “trust deficit between us. We also agreed that this distance between the two countries must be reduced,” he said.

He hoped that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for terrorist activities against India. “Meaningful talks between the two countries, which can lead to a resolution of old issues, are possible only when Pakistan does not let its territory be used for acts of terror against India,” he said.

Mr Singh reiterated that India and Pakistan need to work together in creating an environment in which people from both the sides can live in peace and harmony. He said good neighbourly relations are necessary for peace and harmony, stability and development our region.

On trans-LoC travel and trade, a path-breaking CBM that Mr Singh took in his last term, Mr Singh said he wanted a similar interaction between Kargil and Skardu besides increasing the volume of trade on existing routes.

“We want to look at all possible measures to strengthen links between people on both sides of LoC,” he said. However, there are “a handful of people” who do not want any political process for empowering people to succeed. “This is the reason that attempts to disturb the lives of the people in the valley still continue from across the LoC.”

Mr Singh said the recommendations made by the five working groups are being implemented step-by-step. “Several recommendations have emerged out of the deliberations in these (round table) conferences and we are implementing them in a step-wise manner.” Mr Singh said. “We wish to carry forward the process of dialogue and we are ready to hold talks with the representative of any group which shuns violence and terror.”