Srinagar:
For the second day in a row, the Prime Minister has reached out to Pakistan, offering India's hand in friendship.
Speaking in Srinagar on Thursday, the Prime Minister said India is not setting any pre-conditions for talks with Pakistan, but there can be no real progress, unless Islamabad contains terrorism.
He said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan provided it creates an "atmosphere in which negotiations can be fruitful" but made it clear that it will "not act under pressure of anybody".
Singh said there is "no pre-condition" for talks with Pakistan but the "practical aspect" is that there will be no headway till Pakistan brings under "effective control" the terror elements in that country.
"We are ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan.. We sincerely hope Pakistan will create an atmosphere in which negotiations can be fruitful," he said.
Reacting to the PM's comments, Islamabad issued this offical statement: "This was a welcome reiteration of the understanding reached at the Sharm-El Sheikh Summit. We have always said that Pakistan and India should not allow terrorists and militants to define and drive the agenda on issues of peace, security and stability in South Asia."
On Wednesday, in a public speech that surprised many, the Prime Minister said that if Pakistan showed "sincerity and good faith," India "would not be found wanting in its response".
Critics are concerned that there is no real authority within pakistan that india can talk to at the moment..but the prime minister is said to be keen t o revive a dialogue gradually.
The timing of his statements is seen as significant because India is just weeks away from the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks in Mumbai. India has publicly expressed its frustration with what Pakistan's lack of cooperation in investigating those attacks, masterminded by Hafiz Saeed, who has still not been arrested by Pakistan.
The prime minister also said that Pakistan's recent accusations of India funding the Taliban are "totally false." Earlier this week, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed India for helping the Taliban to destabilize Pakistan. India's foreign minister, SM Krishna, told NDTV "it's the most absurd statement I have heard."
Speaking in Srinagar on Thursday, the Prime Minister said India is not setting any pre-conditions for talks with Pakistan, but there can be no real progress, unless Islamabad contains terrorism.
He said India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan provided it creates an "atmosphere in which negotiations can be fruitful" but made it clear that it will "not act under pressure of anybody".
Singh said there is "no pre-condition" for talks with Pakistan but the "practical aspect" is that there will be no headway till Pakistan brings under "effective control" the terror elements in that country.
"We are ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan.. We sincerely hope Pakistan will create an atmosphere in which negotiations can be fruitful," he said.
Reacting to the PM's comments, Islamabad issued this offical statement: "This was a welcome reiteration of the understanding reached at the Sharm-El Sheikh Summit. We have always said that Pakistan and India should not allow terrorists and militants to define and drive the agenda on issues of peace, security and stability in South Asia."
On Wednesday, in a public speech that surprised many, the Prime Minister said that if Pakistan showed "sincerity and good faith," India "would not be found wanting in its response".
Critics are concerned that there is no real authority within pakistan that india can talk to at the moment..but the prime minister is said to be keen t o revive a dialogue gradually.
The timing of his statements is seen as significant because India is just weeks away from the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks in Mumbai. India has publicly expressed its frustration with what Pakistan's lack of cooperation in investigating those attacks, masterminded by Hafiz Saeed, who has still not been arrested by Pakistan.
The prime minister also said that Pakistan's recent accusations of India funding the Taliban are "totally false." Earlier this week, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed India for helping the Taliban to destabilize Pakistan. India's foreign minister, SM Krishna, told NDTV "it's the most absurd statement I have heard."
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