Islamabad, Sep 23 (IANS) Pakistan Wednesday again appeared to be speaking in twin voices on improving ties with India, and accusing New Delhi of promoting terrorism in this country.
“Yes, it is true the terrorists arrested from Swat and tribal areas of the country have confirmed Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan,” Online news agency quoted Interior Minister Rehman Malik as telling a private TV channel.
The remarks come on the heels of separate statements by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on the need for improved ties with India and for resuming the subcontinental dialogue process that New Delhi suspended in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that have been blamed on elements operating from this country.
Those statements were seen to be setting the tone for the meetings in New York later this month of the foreign secretaries and later of the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
“Pakistan has retaliated with full force whenever India started the blame game against us,” Malik said, adding: “Pakistan had offered unconditional support to India after the Mumbai attack but our sincere efforts to bring the culprits of this incident to justice are not being replied constructively.”
At a meeting with former US president Bill Clinton in New York Monday, Zardari said the resumption of the subcontinental composite dialogue was in the best interests of the region.
Zardari also reiterated that Pakistan was determined to prevent its territory from being used against any other country.
On his part, Gilani said Tuesday that Pakistan wants good relations with all neighbouring countries, including India, on the basis of equality.
Addressing a large gathering at the Multan circuit house, Gilani said Pakistan wishes to resolve the water and Kashmir disputes with India through negotiations.
He also stressed that the two nuclear powers should decide to move forward and focus on the well-being of their poverty-ridden people, adding this will pave the way for a socio-economic revolution in the region.
Gilani comments come a day after it was announced Monday that with Pakistan arresting suspected Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in New York Sep 27 to review Pakistan’s action against the 26/11 terrorists.
The foreign ministers’ meeting will be preceded by talks between India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in New York Sep 26.