Date:09/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/09/stories/2006090922021500.htm

National

Deal with terrorism substantively: Saran

Special Correspondent

Dialogue process difficult otherwise

Dates for talks to depend on meeting between Manmohan, Musharraf

Both leaders aware of "what needs to be done"

NEW DELHI: India on Friday said it would be difficult to carry forward the dialogue process with Pakistan unless Islamabad addressed the issue of terrorism in a substantive way.

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet President Pervez Musharraf in Havana during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit either on September 15 or 16, the dates for the India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary level talks would depend on the "satisfactory outcome" of the talks between the two leaders.

The Foreign Secretary level talks were put off in the wake of the July 11 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai.

"There is a recognition that unless the issue of terrorism is addressed by Pakistan in a substantive way, it will be difficult to carry forward the dialogue process," Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said while briefing reporters on the coming visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Brazil and Cuba.

Mr. Saran said that both Dr. Singh and President Musharraf were committed to taking the dialogue and peace process forward and both of them were aware of "what needs to be done."

Asked about the resumption of Foreign Secretary level talks, he said the dates for the talks could be set if there was willingness on the part of Pakistan to work with India in eliminating the "shared threat" of terrorism.