Prospects for talks hinge on end to cross-border terrorism

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, DEC. 20. India today held out the prospects for an early resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan if Islamabad makes further progress in reducing cross-border terrorism and creating a conducive atmosphere for talks.

Noting the decline in violence sponsored from across the border during the current Ramzan ceasefire and pressing Pakistan for greater restraint, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, declared today India ``will initiate such exploratory steps'' as are deemed necessary to revive the stalled peace process between the two nations.

The Foreign Office spokesman was unwilling to define the nature of these ``exploratory steps'' that India is prepared to take. There is speculation, however, that these steps could involve some formal or informal communication with Pakistan on the pre- requisites for the resumption of a dialogue.

An exchange of views between the parties to any conflict, diplomatic observers here say, is essential to begin the peace talks. Government officials here are tight-lipped on how this exchange could take place between New Delhi and Islamabad. The spokesman insisted that India would take these ``exploratory steps'' only when ``they are considered necessary.''

The message to Pakistan from Mr. Vajpayee's statement in both Houses of Parliament today was that Pakistan's sincerity in creating an appropriate atmosphere for the talks remained on test. Mr. Vajpayee was suggesting that India was ready to walk down the road towards a substantive engagement with Pakistan if there was additional effort on the part of Islamabad to bring down cross-border terrorism.

He acknowledged the sharp reduction of military temperature on the Line of Control. Mr. Vajpayee noted the discernible decline in cross-border infiltration and insisted ``this must cease entirely''. He added that terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir had come down, but pointed to the continuing actions by the Jehadi groups.

In short, India is prepared to move forward to a dialogue when cross-border infiltration and terrorist violence in J&K also come down significantly.

The Pakistani Commissioner to India, Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, welcomed the Indian decision to extend the ceasefire. Mr. Qazi, who was attending an Iftar party by the BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, said that Pakistan was looking for an early initiation of ``tripartite talks'' among India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat leaders.

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