External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Saturday blamed Pakistan for the “abrupt suspension” of the composite dialogue and said talks would resume only if Islamabad satisfied New Delhi’s requirements by acting sternly against those responsible for Mumbai terror attacks.
Pakistan had blamed India for the delay in resumption of talks between the Foreign Secretaries and said restarting of the dialogue would benefit both.
Mr. Krishna told journalists here: “India was happily continuing composite dialogue with Pakistan until the Mumbai attack incident abruptly ended such a dialogue. Pakistan has to blame itself for such an abrupt end. The evidence provided to Pakistan is enough to prosecute those involved in Mumbai terror attacks.” He asked Pakistan to prove to the world its “seriousness” in curbing terror attacks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Refuting the charge of Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Mr. Krishna said: “We have given to Pakistan the names of those involved in the attack. It is but natural for Pakistan to arrest all those and bring them to justice. India will have to continue to play a very ‘patient game’ with Pakistan.”
He said: “We know that Pakistan is the epicentre of terror in this region. We have drawn the attention of the Pakistan government as well as other countries to this.”