Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Monday said that upcoming talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will focus on terrorism, Express 24/7 reported on Monday.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi, Krishna said that the trust deficit between the two countries needed to be reduced.
Krishna said the issue of Tahawur Rana, who was recently declared not guilty in the Mumbai attacks case, as well as the “extradition of Dawood Ibrahim” will be discussed during the meetings.
India’s foreign secretary is due to visit Pakistan this week, the first formal talks between the two countries on their core dispute since the Mumbai attacks in 2008 froze their peace process. The talks will be held on June 23 and 24 in Islamabad.
According to The Hindu, Krishna termed the aggressive behaviour by Indian and Pakistani warships on the high seas as an “isolated” incident which “doesn’t help”. He said that he was optimistic of both sides clearing any “misunderstanding” that led to the two warships coming dangerously close to each other, The Hindu reported.
According to The Hindu, Krishna expressed his disappointment over the slow pace of the Mumbai attacks trial in Pakistan. “I think it is a sad commentary of what is happening there. Whatever occasion we get to interact with the leadership of Pakistan, we always convey that it is necessary that trial should be hastened,” he said.
“I hope Pakistan realises how serious is the Indian view on this particular question. Our trial has concluded and the appeal is pending with the Supreme Court. Whereas, the trial virtually has not even started in Pakistan,” the minister said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson had earlier stated that the foreign secretaries’ meeting will not be allowed to discuss the issue of Mumbai attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2011.
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