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| Friday, 11 July 2003 |
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No early talks with Pakistan - Indian FM NEW DELHI Thursday (AFP) India Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha ruled out the early resumption of talks with Pakistan, saying adequate preparations were first needed and that Islamabad must halt support for "terrorism" in Kashmir. "We should first talk about the talks - how these will begin and what will be the agenda," Sinha told the Press Trust of India news agency in an interview. He said no "meaningful talks" could be held unless Pakistan put an end to the "terrorism" by Islamic militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, which is divided between the two countries. Asked whether this was a precondition for talks, Sinha said, "Meaningful talks and cross-border terrorism cannot go on simultaneously. This is a reality which has to be recognised by Pakistan and by the international community." Air links, however, between the countries remain severed. Sinha said it was up to Pakistan to start negotiations for a resumption. "While we were ready to resume air links, Pakistan suggested that talks be held between officials of the civil aviation ministries of the two countries," Sinha said. "We have left it to Pakistan to decide when and where these talks should be held," he said. Meanwhile a Pakistani trade group on a weeklong visit to India toured the country's most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, and urged more relaxed travel rules to boost business between the neighboring arch-rivals. Around three dozen Pakistani businesspeople, part of the team which earlier this week negotiated deals at a New Delhi forum sponsored by India's leading industry group, voiced delight at seeing the massive marble mausoleum in Agra, built in the 17th century under the Muslim Moghul dynasty. |
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