No pressure for talks with Pak, separatists: PM

'India not satisfied with Islamabads investigation into 26/11 attacks'

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Singh made it clear that talks would be held with only those who abjure violence. Dialogue with Pakistan was possible only if it curbed the activities of terror groups and brought to justice those involved in crimes against humanity in India, he asserted.

Pointing out that he was not laying conditions for talks, the Prime Minister said, “There is a practical way of looking at things. Negotiations cannot make headway unless Pakistan brings under effective control the terror groups.”

But he cautioned that the atmosphere for negotiations cannot be created if terrorists continued to take precious lives in a democracy.

Appealing to separatists to reciprocrate his invitation for dialogue, Singh said: “We are ready for talks with all shades of opinion in Jammu, provided they shun the path of violence. We want to address the internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir problem.”

Asked whether the Centre had taken  the initiative for dialogue with Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan on international pressure, particularly in view of the support of the Organisation of Islamic countries (OIC), Saudi Arabia and Libya to the separatist movement in Kashmir, Singh said: “We are taking decisions on our own. Kashmir is an integral part of India, and the OIC has no business to intervene in our internal matters. We have lodged a protest with them on this account.”

To a question whether India was satisfied with Pakistan’s probe into the Mumbai attacks, he said: “No, we are not satisfied. We want that all the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks are brought to justice.”

Dismissing Pakistan’s charges that India was involved in the Balochistan issue, besides allegations on funding the Taliban in Pakistan, Singh said: “These allegations are far-fetched and far from the truth. Our country has no role in Balochistan.”

DH News Service