NEW DELHI - Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Sunday India had taken up with China the issue of its involvement in development projects in Pakistan's part of Kashmir and also supply of weapons to Islamabad. He said India was "committed to close and friendly relations with our neighbours" as it was convinced "that our destinies are interlinked". In an interview with a news agency, Krishna said progress had been achieved in five years of composite dialogue with Pakistan.
Krishna said it was in India's interest to "engage and normalise our relations," but "at the same time we are very clear that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only be based on fulfilment of its commitment, in letter and spirit." "The manner in which it acts to fulfil its assurances in this regard will be a critical factor in achieving progress in our bilateral relations," he was referring to resumption of dialogue with Pakistan.
"With Pakistan, the composite dialogue process since 2004 revealed the promise and potential that exists for both countries in a context when relations are improving. Realising that potential is the challenge but we can only do so by squarely addressing the issue of terrorism," Krishna said.
Referring to India's policy towards China, Krishna said despite differences on a host of issues with Beijing the country did not see it in "antagonistic terms". When asked about issues with China including alleged border incursions by China, issuance of separate visas to Kashmiris, the Dalai Lama and status of Arunachal Pradesh, he replied, "We are indeed concerned about some of these developments."-APP
Agencies add: Interior minister Rehman Malik has once again claimed that India is fomenting unrest within Pakistan through steps such as funding Taliban fighters based along the border with Afghanistan.
Malik said he was "convinced" India is among "certain hostile agencies" that are backing the Taliban to create instability in Pakistan. Asked during an interview to a TV news channel as to who was backing the Taliban, he said: "There are certain hostile elements against Pakistan and there are certain hostile agencies which do not want Pakistan to be (stabilised)."
In response to a question on whether India is among the hostile agencies, Malik said, "Yes, of course, I am convinced. I have no doubt about it. I was very open. I have given the full details. "If the interior minister of India or anyone else wants to confront me, I will be very happy to confront them because I know what I am saying," he added.-Agencies
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