No dialogue with Pak in atmosphere of violence, says Krishna

Replying to a discussion on the working of his ministry in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said India "cannot and will not" be oblivious to the continued threat of terrorism emanating from Islamabad.

"Progress is not possible in our dialogue with Pakistan in an atmosphere vitiated by violence or the threat to use violence.

"The Joint Statement of July 16, 2009 encapsulates this view and stand-point that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only follow the concrete fulfilment of their commitments not to allow their territory to be used for terrorist activities against India," he said.

His response came after Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said a "monumental lapse" had been committed by the government at Sharm-el Sheikh and the praise for Atal Bihari Vajpayee cannot shield him from this.

Rejecting the BJP charge that the government has removed the pressure on Pakistan to act against terrorism, Krishna said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and he have left the Pakistani leadership in no doubt that they act against perpetrators of Mumbai and other terror attacks against India.