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No pre-condition but Pak must curb terror groups: PM
PTI | Srinagar
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said there were no pre-conditions for talks with Pakistan but they cannot make headway unless there is "effective control" of the terror groups operating in that country.
Winding up his two-day visit to the Kashmir valley, he also voiced the hope that separatists and others would reciprocate his appeal for a dialogue with all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked at a press conference here whether his statement yesterday that Pakistan should destroy terror camps will be a pre-condition for talks, Singh said "it is not not a pre-condition.
"But there is a practical way of looking at (things). Negotiations can't make headway unless Pakistan brings under effective control these terror groups."
He said India is a democracy and if day and day out terrorists continue attack and take the precious lives "we cannot create an atmosphere for negotiations".
"Negotiations can't make headway unless Pakistan brings under control the terrorist elements which aid and abet terrorism in India," the Prime Minister.
He also made it clear that Pakistan's actions against those believed to be behind the Mumbai attacks were not not satisfactory and expressed the hope that Islamabad would bring all the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks to justice.
Singh described as "far fetched and far from truth" Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik's charge that India was abetting violence in Balochistan and funding Taliban.
"I have said earlier that India had no no role in Balochistan and those who level these charges, the senior minister in Pakistan, know jolly well that there is no no truth in it.
"Nothing can be far fetched and far from truth," he said adding in fact it was India which was a victim of terrorism aided and abetted from Pakistani soil.
"Both (charges on) Balochistan and Taliban are totally false," he said.
To a question whether India was satisfied with Pakistan's steps on Mumbai attacks, he said "obviously we are not not satisfied with action taken by Pakistan. We sincerely hope that Pakistan government will bring all the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks to justice."
In his opening statement, he expressed the hope that his appeal for dialogue with all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be reciprocated in the spirit in which he had made the appeal yesterday.
To a question about Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Farooq justifying the use of gun, Singh said he did not not want to ready too much into what was said in anger.
"I hope all those who believe in the good of Jammu and Kashmir will respond favourably to my appeal for dialogue. We are willing to engage in discussions with every group and all those who want abjure violence," he said
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Singh said he was returning from Kashmir fully satisfied as he believed a "new chapter is opening in the peace process in the state and Jammu and Kashmir is turning the corner.
He said the government would have to carry all stake-holders in the state to achieve permanent peace in J and K so that government could concentrate on development and full economic revival, creating jobs for the young people.
The Prime Minister regretted the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) getting into the internal affairs of India when it appointed a Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir.
"We regret that the OIC has got into this business. We have lodged a protest with them on this account," he said adding India would not not act under any body's pressure.
He said India was not not going to be induced to act under pressure of anybody.
To a question of lack of progress with Pakistan on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), the Prime Minister said the CBMs to move forward the cooperation of Pakistan government and its people were required and voiced the hope that Pakistan would create a proper atmosphere for making progress on these issues.
The Prime Minister parried a question on the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Pak charge of India funding Taliban totally false: PM
Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thusrday strongly rejected Pakistan's charge that India was funding Taliban, saying it was "far-fetched and far from truth" and those levelling such allegations "know it jolly well".
Singh described as "totally false" the allegation made by Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik that India was fomenting unrest within that country through steps such as funding Taliban based along the border with Afghanistan.
"I think nothing can be far-fetched, far from truth. We are the victims of terrorism, aided and abetted from Pakistani side.
"Therefore, my simple answer that both the references to Balochistan and what has been said with regard to India funding Taliban are totally false," he said during a press conference after his two-day visit to Kashmir.
Singh said that what was alleged about India's role in Balochistan has no basis and those who are levelling false charges "know it jolly well".
"The same applies to the latest statement of an important minister (Malik) accusing India of financing Taliban," the Prime Minister said.
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