The Hindu : U.S., U.K. demand for talks with Pak. `insensitive': Sinha

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 06, 2003

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U.S., U.K. demand for talks with Pak. `insensitive': Sinha

New Delhi April 5. India has termed as "insensitive" the U.S. and British demand for resumption of a dialogue with Pakistan in the wake of the Nadimarg massacre of Kashmiri Pandits and asserted that it will not talk to Islamabad till it stops cross-border terrorism.

"It was clearly insensitive," the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, told ITV's `Court Martial' programme. He was replying to a question whether New Delhi felt that the call for resumption of talks was unhelpful and provocative at this juncture.

"We have tried to explain to them (the U.S. and the U.K.) as clearly and as often as possible (India's position on terrorism)... but would agree that I don't think they understand it hundred per cent. They understand most of it.

"The difference in point of view is with regard to the dialogue. We have said clearly to them that cross-border terrorism and dialogue cannot go on simultaneously... First cross-border terrorism has to stop before a climate for dialogue is created," Mr. Sinha said.

Observing that India's decision not to talk to Pakistan was a "very effective policy", he said the Government would fight terrorism and do whatever was needed to ensure the safety of its people.

Asked if there was a possibility of a war with Pakistan if the U.S. pressure on Islamabad did not work and there was a step-up in infiltration, Mr. Sinha said: "The only thing I can tell you is that we will deal with the situation''. — PTI

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