This Article is From Jun 05, 2009

Act first, talks will follow: Krishna to Pakistan

Act first, talks will follow: Krishna to Pakistan

AFP image

New Delhi:

India on Friday ruled out resumption of dialogue with Pakistan until it takes "concrete measures" to prevent terrorism directed against this country.

"We will not unless they (Pakistan) take concrete measures to prevent terrorist attacks emanating from the soil of Pakistan aimed against India," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told reporters when asked whether there was any move to resume dialogue with Islamabad.

His assertion puts at rest speculation that moves were underway to resume dialogue with Pakistan in the near future.

Referring to the release of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed, Krishna said, "That only shows that Pakistan is not serious about terror and all that terror spells out."

On the US advisory cautioning its citizens with regard to travel in India, he said, Home Minister P Chidambaram has already spoken about it that India is a very safe country to travel.

"If there are any concerns of particular countries we are willing to address these concerns," the External Affairs Minister said.

The US advisory has said that India faces "high threat" from terrorism and Americans should be vigilant in this country.

On US President Barack Obama's speech yesterday in Cairo, Krishna said, "We will have to wait and watch. He has made a broad appeal. It was a reconciliatory speech and we will have to watch the reaction from the Islamic world."

Obama, while trying to reach out to 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe, had talked about a "new beginning" between the US and the Islamic world based on "mutual respect".

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