Krishna’s US visit starts from June 1

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

With the Obama administration keen to elevate its dialogue with New Delhi, external affairs minister SM Krishna will leave for the US for the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue.

The three-day strategic dialogue from June 1, will be co-chaired by US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. The talks between Krishna and Clinton are also expected to lay the ground for US President Barack Obama’s visit to India later this year. Krishna will be accompanied by several senior ministers, including HRD minister Kapil Sibal, deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, and other senior officials.

While strategic talks between the two democracies have taken place, this will be the first ministerial-level dialogue. US administration is keen on transforming relations and expanding ties in key sectors such as education, agriculture and space. It has already completed strategic talks with China and Pakistan. While the focus of the talks will be bilateral, regional issues will also be high on the agenda. Terrorism and Af-Pak will be on the table. Clinton needs to reassure Krishna that the US is not tilting towards Pakistan because of its dependence on its Army.

Referring to the inaugural India-US strategic dialogue led by Krishna and Clinton, State Department spokesman P J Crowley said at a briefing, “I think the strategic dialogue speaks for itself. We have very strong cultural ties to India, so we look forward to the strategic dialogue.”

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India a great and emerging global power: US

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ahead of Indo-US Strategic Dialogue, an Obama Administration official termed India as a “great and emerging global power” and said the talks, next week, will take the relationship between the two nations to a new level.

“I think the strategic dialogue speaks for itself. India is a great and emerging global power. Our range of interests are significant in terms of the environment, in terms of regional security, in terms of counterterrorism, economic issues,” State Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters here.

Leading a high-power delegation of several Cabinet Ministers, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is scheduled to arrive in Washington in the next couple of days for the first Indo-US Strategic Dialogue from June 1 to June 4.

While the names of the Indian delegation has not been announced yet, it is expected that it would include Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal; Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia; Minister for Science and Technology Prithvitaj Chauhan; and Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – who returned from her week-long three-nation Asia trip from Japan, China and Seoul — would lead the American delegation.

During Clinton’s visit to India, last year, it was decided that the strategic dialogue should be launched between the two countries.

“We have very strong cultural ties to India, so we look forward to the strategic dialogue. It’s something that the Secretary and the President (of the US) felt important to elevate the level of our coordination and cooperation. So we look forward to the dialogue,” Crowley said in response to a question.

“I think our relations with India have never been stronger. We are talking about the relations between the largest and oldest democracies in the world. We have a great deal in common and we look forward to the meetings next week,” Crowley said.

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India hopeful about China’s support for UNSC seat

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

On Board Air India One, May 26 (ANI): Not expecting much diplomatic gains from President Pratibha Devisingh Patil’s visit to China, India is, however, hopeful that Beijing would support India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nation’s Security Council.

President Patil’s is visiting China at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao from May 26 to 31. Her visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China.

Minister of Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahay, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and a business delegation are accompanying her.

“We hope that India should be in the United Nation Security Council (as a permanent member), and I hope to take up the matter with my Chinese counterpart,” President Patil said when asked about seeking China’s support in this regard.

She also said that as developing nations, India and China have similar approaches and viewpoints on many global issues.

India and China have successfully had close cooperation within such international frameworks as G-20, BRIC countries and BASIC countries.

The two countries also coordinated with each other at the UN Copenhagen Climate Change Summit last December. (ANI)

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Lakhvi likely to walk free like Saeed thanks to legal lacunas in Pak: Legal expert

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 26 (ANI): The Pakistan Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Lahore High Court’s verdict acquitting Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafeez Mohammed Saeed of all terror charges may have come as a shocker for many, particularly India, but legal experts believe that the decision comes as “no surprise,” as the prosecution was hampered by a lack of admissible evidence.

According to Ahmed Bilal Soofi, a Supreme Court lawyer and expert on international law, Saeed’s acquittal would also increase difficulties in the prosecution of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the founding leader and the operations chief of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who is currently undergoing trial at anti-terror court along with six of his other aides who worked as key conspirators in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

“Transnational crime prosecution between two countries is a very challenging assignment. Regrettably, in Pakistan as well as in India, there is no effective legislation for Mutual Legal Assistance, and the ultimate beneficiaries are the terrorists,” The Christian Science Monitor quoted Soofi, as saying.

Pakistan has a long history of first arresting and then later releasing extremist leaders when it feels they can be of use to its strategic aims.

The apex court’s decision may also have a negative impact on the renewed peace efforts between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi already expressing its disappointment over the court’s judgement to allow Saeed, the mastermind of the November 2008 Mumbai carnage, to walk free.

“India hopes Pakistan will take meaningful action against Saeed. We are disappointed over at Saeed being let off by Pakistan,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had said soon after the Pakistan Supreme Court declared Saeed a ‘free man’ due to lack of evidence against him. (ANI)

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UNGA President meets PM

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 5 (ANI): United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Ali Abdussalam Treki met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday and reportedly discussed a wide range of issues, including peace and security, United Nations (UN) reforms and other international and regional issues.

“We discussed the way to make the United Nations very strong, reform of the UN, Security Council and UNGA. We also discussed certain problems that the United Nations is facing like climate change, Middle-East Problem and other issues,” said Treki.

National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao were also present at the meeting.

Treki arrived here on Monday on a three-day visit after holding parleys with China.

He is expected to leave for Pakistan today. (ANI)

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India tells Pak that terrorism holding back talks progress

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu, Apr 29 (ANI): India told Pakistan on Thursday that terrorism is stalling progress of the bilateral talks process, and added that there is a need for both countries to pay attention to reducing the existing trust deficit.

During a significant 50-minute meeting held at Bhutan House here on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh told his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani that terrorism is holding back progress in Indo-Pak ties.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Prime Minister Singh particularly mentioned India’s concerns over Pakistan’s tardy progress in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to justice.

She said India laid stress on the fact that there has been an increase in cross-border terror, and added that Prime Minister Singh had expressed his deep concern over the activities and free movement of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.

Rao said that Prime Minister Gilani responded by saying that Pakistan is serious about tackling terror and is taking all steps under the laws of the land to bring to book the perpetrators of 26/11.

Saeed is wanted by India as the prime suspect for the 26/11 attacks.

Rao said that while no joint statement was issued after the talks, both sides would meet as soon as possible at the Foreign Ministers and Secretaries level.

She also said that both Dr. Singh and Mr. Gilani had decided that channels of dialogue should be kept open to restore “trust and confidence” in the bilateral relationship.

“The Prime Ministers held very good talks in a free and frank manner. They agreed that cooperation between the two countries is vital for the people of South Asia to realize their destiny,” Rao told reporters.

“Prime Minister expressed India’s concern over the slow progress of Mumbai trial in Pakistan to Prime Minister Gilani,” Ms. Rao said.

This was their first meeting after their dialogue in Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt on July 16, 2009.

Rao said both leaders first met accompanied by their respective delegations. This was followed by a one-on-one meeting and then again by another meeting with the respective delegations present.

Rao said that Dr. Singh had told Mr. Gilani that India is willing to discuss all issues of mutual concern through dialogue.

At a separate interaction with the media, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the meeting between the two leaders ended on a positive note and he would be meeting his Indian counterpart S. M. Krishna soon.

He also welcomed Home Minister P. Chidambaram to Islamabad on June 26 for the SAARC Home Minister’s conference.

Qureshi claimed that the meeting has “changed the climate” between the two countries.

Asked whether Foreign Ministers-level talks amounted to a resumption of the suspended Composite Dialogue process between both nations, Rao said: “I do not want to get into details about the nomenclature of the talks.”

She also declined to go into the details of the issues that would figure in the talks, saying “all concerns” would be discussed.

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Pak hopes India responds positively to Kasab custody request

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Pakistan on Wednesday contended that it wanted custody of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist held during the Mumbai attacks, because of legal requirements and hoped that India would respond positively to its request for handing him over.

“That is a legal requirement… India is currently examining our request and we hope that they will get back with a positive response,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters here when asked why his country has demanded handing over of Kasab.

Kasab, a Pakistani-national, was among 10 terrorists who struck in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. While nine of the attackers were killed, Kasab was caught during the gun-fight.

He is currently undergoing trial in Mumbai and the court will give verdict on May 3.

India has already indicated that it was not possible to hand him over as the legal processes against him were going on in the country.

On the possibility of meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, Basit said there was “confusion” in India.

“As our Foreign Minister has said time has come for India to make up its mind as to what kind of engagement it wants. It seems there is some confusion,” the Pakistani spokesman said.

He said, “India has to make up its mind because there are serious issues involved and this confusion will give advantage to forces which are against (normal relations) between the two countries”.

He added, “this (proposed) meeting was part of our roadmap which was given to India in New York by our Foreign Minister (Shah Mahmood Qureshi) to Indian External Affairs Minister (S M Krishna) and then again by our Foreign Secretary (Salman Bashir) to Indian Foreign Secretary (Nirupama Rao) on February 25 in New Delhi.

Queried about Pakistan’s stand when a meeting between the Prime Ministers takes place, Basit said both the countries have realised that there has to be a meaningful and constructive dialogue.

“… our Prime Minister’s effort will be to start such an engagement so that all the issues of terrorism and others are solved”.

Asked whether Krishna and Qureshi had a meeting here on sidelines of SAARC Foreign Ministers’ meeting, he said they did shake hands but there was no formal meeting between them.

“No formal or informal meeting happened,” he insisted when asked if there was an informal interaction.

On the arrest of an Indian diplomat posted in Islamabad on charges of spying for ISI, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman dubbed it as an “internal matter” about which his government has not been told anything officially.

He said the incident would have no bearing on SAARC activities.

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No request yet from India for a meeting with PM Gilani: Pak spokesman

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.28 (ANI): India is yet to make a formal request for a meeting between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani, the spokesman of the Pakistan Foreign Office, Abdul Basit, said on Wednesday.

Interacting with media here on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit, Basit said: “Both countries have realized that there has to be a meaningful and constructive dialogue. If they meet, our Prime Minister’s efforts will be to start such an engagement, so that all issues of terrorism and others are solved.”

“There has been no request for a meeting from the Indian side, but yes, this meeting was part of our roadmap which was given to India in New York by our Foreign Minister (Shah Mehmood Qureshi) to Indian External Affairs Minister (S.M. Krishna), and then again, by our Foreign Secretary (Salman Bashir) to Indian Foreign Secretary (Nirupama Rao) on February 25 in New Delhi. So yes, this meeting in Bhutan was part of our roadmap, but unfortunately India did not respond to that roadmap,” Basit added.

Commenting on India’s repeated demand that Pakistan take action against 26/11 prime accused and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, Basit said: “They (India) know that we have done enough. He (Saeed) was detained twice, but we have an independent and fair judiciary, as is the case in India. How can you arrest someone on hearsay? As far as Pakistan”s position is concerned, it is resolved to fight militancy, resolved to fight terrorism to the hilt. The entire world recognizes that. It is unfortunate that India does not see the ground reality and how Pakistan is coping up with the entire situation.”

When further asked whether the legal evidence provided so far by New Delhi not enough to prosecute Saeed, Basit said “That can be implied.”

He also said that Pakistan is sparing no effort in collecting more evidence with regard to the case, and added that he hoped India would respond positively to Islamabad’s request for the handing over of lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab for questioning and corroboration of evidence.

“I hope, India is currently examining our request and we hope that they will get back with a positive response,” he said.

On the issue of the Indian diplomat’s arrest for allegedly passing on secrets to Pakistani intelligence agencies, Basit said that it was an internal matter of the Indian Government, and added that he did not think it would have any bearing on SAARC activities. (ANI)

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Diplomatic efforts on to facilitate Manmohan-Gilani meeting

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.27 (ANI): As the red carpet rolls out for leaders coming to attend the two-day XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at Thimphu,efforts are reportedly on at the diplomatic level to facilitate a meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines.

Indian and Pakistani diplomats are working hard to finalize the bilateral meeting. Senior officials of both countries dealing specifically with bilateral ties have already arrived here. They include Pakistan”s High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik and the Joint Secretary in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in charge of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran desk,Y.K. Sinha.

Although the stage looks almost set for a possible meeting, officially there is no confirmation.

Sources have told ANI that the meeting is very much on the cards.

According to sources, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir are also expected to hold a separate meeting before the Prime Ministers” of both countries meet.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna told ANI here that the schedule of the Prime
Minister will only be fixed once he arrives here on Wednesday.

Dr.Singh will be arriving here tomorrow morning, while Prime Minister Gilani has already arrived.

Sending a positive feeler about possible talks, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told ANI ” We can talk about talks. One always lives on hope. Talking and engaging is the most sensible way forward.”

Sources also maintain that even if bilateral meeting does not materialise, a “pull aside” meeting like the recent one in Washington is certain. (ANI)

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Global effort needed to thwart militant violence: Krishna

April 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Beijing, April 06 (ANI):Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna in Being on Tuesday sought global co operation and a comprehensive legislation in the United Nations to face militancy as a universal threat.Krishna,accompanied by the Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao arrived in China on Monday on a four-day visit with an aim to consolidate bilateral ties.

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Indo-US civil nuclear deal is proceeding smoothly: Nirupama Rao

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar. 16 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said that the implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal is “proceeding smoothly and satisfactorily”.

Rao, who is on a six-day official visit to Washington, addressed the meeting of USA-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) meeting, hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce.

“The implementation of civil nuclear deal is proceeding smoothly and satisfactorily that is first point I would like to make and as far the introduction of civil nuclear liability bill in Parliament is concerned it is ready for introduction and in all likelihood it will be introduced after recess,” said Rao.

She also cautioned the international community that integration process in Afghanistan should only include the forces (Taliban) that have abandoned the path of violence and abide by the values of democracy.

“We believe that any integration process should include only those who abjure violence, give up arm struggle, terrorism and are willing to abide by the values of democracy, pluralism and human rights,” she said.

“There is every risk otherwise that Taliban would resurrect themselves as they have in the past when we think that they have been defeated or we are rid-off their hardcore elements,” added Rao,” she added.

Seven Indians, including three Army officers, were killed and nine injured in the attack in Afghanistan on February 26. (ANI)

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Pakistan not keeping its promise to dismantle terror infrastructure: Rao

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar 16 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has made it clear that Pakistan is not doing its part to follow through on promises to dismantle terrorist organisations, adding that some of the leaders of these groups continue to have access to the airwaves to make threats against India.

Speaking at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, Rao said that Pakistan-Afghanistan situation would not be resolved soon as she felt that the problems between Pakistan and Afghanistan is one obvious, where the U.S. and Indian interests converge.

She urged Washington to see India as a mature partner with a powerful economy and that the challenge to the relationship is to take the current interaction to a higher level.

Rao was, however, cautious on the issue of Iran. She saw the situation as complicated and did not want to see sanctions currently under discussion to harm the Iranian people.

She also felt that Iran should have both rights and responsibilities if it wants to use nuclear power.

Rao addressed other regional issues such as China and said that India wants to view their large neighbour with the widest possible lens.

With China openly investing in Africa, she pointed out that the US and India can work together on helping boost development for the continent.

She promised that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would participate in the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit, set for April in Washington while downplaying concerns that the legislative process is delayed on the Indian side to fully implement the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation process.

Rao did not appear worried that the demands of the U.S. domestic political scene will take away from Washington”s growing relationship with New Delhi; instead, she repeated the position that it”s time for India to take full responsibility on the world stage in organizations such as the United Nations Security Council and G-20. (ANI)

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NSA to convene China Study Group meeting to discuss incursion fallout

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.17 (ANI): National Security Advisor M K Narayanan will hold a meeting of the China Study Group – consisting of top officials including Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar and Secretaries of Defence, Home and Foreign Ministries – here today.

The meeting is expected to take stock of the situation along the Sino-India border, official sources said.

Besides Chandrasekhar, the meeting will be attended by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Home Secretary G K Pillai and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

Top officials of the three armed forces and the Intelligence Bureau will also attend the meeting.

The meeting assumes significance in wake of recent reports of incursions by the Chinese army in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, involving the air dropping of expired food canes, painting of rocks red among others.

Another media report said that two Chinese Sukhoi fighters had transgressed into Indian air space last month.

The Indian Air Force, however, says no unscheduled flight inside Indian air space had taken place last month. (ANI)

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NSA to convene China Study Group meeting to discuss incursion fallout

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.16 (ANI): National Security Advisor M K Narayanan will hold a meeting of the China Study Group – consisting of top officials including Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar and Secretaries of Defence, Home and Foreign Ministries – on Thursday (September 17).

The meeting is expected to take stock of the situation along the Sino-India border, official sources said.

Besides Chandrasekhar, the meeting will be attended by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Home Secretary G K Pillai, oreign Secretary Nirupama Rao. Top officials of the three armed forces and the Intelligence Bureau will also attend the meeting.

The meeting assumes significance in wake of recent reports of incursions by the Chinese army in Ladakh,Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, involving the air dropping of expired food canes, painting of rocks red among others.

Another media report said that two Chinese Sukhoi fighters had transgressed into Indian air space last month.

The Indian Air Force, however, says no unscheduled flight inside Indian air space had taken place last month. (ANI)

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Nirupama Rao discusses India, Nepal ties in Kathmandu

September 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kathmandu, Sep 15 (ANI): Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao met Nepal Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and discussed various bilateral issues including greater sharing of vital information between the two countries.

According to Nepalnews, both the leaders also discussed electricity import from India, signing of extradition treaty and the agreements reached during Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s visit to India last month.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Koirala said that the discussion basically revolved around building greater cooperation between India and Nepal, Constitution drafting and the peace process.

“India was keen on providing more assistance to help develop Nepal’s poor infrastructures, building transmission lines for the import of electricity from India, signing of the new extradition treaty and address other trade issues,” Koirala added.

Earlier Nirupama Rao met her Nepalis counterpart Gyan Chandra Acharya and discussed joint strategy for implementation of the 34-point agreement signed between the two countries last month.

During the meeting, she assured substantial amount of Indian investment in Nepal if peace is established in the country.

She also called on former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence and suggested that Koirala has a great role to play in the days ahead to end the political impasse in Nepal.

She also met CPN UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and extended an invitation to visit India on behalf of the government of India. During her meeting she advised Khanal to seek a practical solution on rehabilitation and integration of former Maoist combatants.

Nirupama Rao also met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Chief of Army Staff Chatra Mansingh Gurung and Maoist leader Babu Ram Bhattrai New Delhi is sending a high-level official to Nepal at a time when the constitution-drafting and peace process has been stalled due to differences among major political parties.

This is Nirupama Rao’s first visit to Nepal after being appointed Foreign Secretary on July 31.

She will also visit Pashupatinath temple and offer her prayers later today. (ANI)

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Indian foreign secretary arrives in Kathmandu

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kathmandu, Sep 14 (ANI): Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao who arrived here on a two-day visit, will meet President Ram Baran Yadav and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala today.

Nirupama Rao’s visit is aimed at working out the strategy for implementation of the 34-point agreement between Nepal and India signed during Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s India visit, last month.

Nirupama will hold official talks with her Nepali counterpart Gyan Chandra Acharya for the same.

She will also meet Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Foreign Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya and leaders of various political parties, including opposition Maoist chief Prachanda.

New Delhi is sending a high-level official to Nepal at a time when the constitution-drafting and peace process has been stalled due to differences among major political parties.

This is Nirupama Rao’s first visit to Nepal after being appointed Foreign Secretary on July 31. She will also visit Pashupatinath temple and offer her prayers. (ANI)

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Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to visit Nepal

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will pay a two-day visit to Nepal next week.

Nirupama Rao will pay courtesy calls on Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and hold official talks with her counterpart, Foreign Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya, during her visit.

New Delhi is sending a high-level official to Nepal at a time when the constitution-drafting and peace process has been stalled due to differences among major political parties.

This is Nirupama Rao’s first visit to Nepal after being appointed Foreign Secretary on July 31. She will also visit Pashupatinath temple and offer her prayers. (ANI)

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Indo-Pak foreign secretary talks not on the cards

September 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.4 (ANI): Talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan-Nirupama Rao and Salman Bashir-are not going to be held in the forseeable future in the wake of the latest statements emerging from Islamabad with regard to the 26/11 probe and its less than acceptable reactions to the six dossiers provided to it by the Indian Government.

According to sources, while the meeting between the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi will take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, any hopes of a limited dialogue taking place at lesser levels is remote.

Incessant ceasefire violations at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s consistent non-compliance to the six dossiers provided by India and the inaction against 26/11 mastermind Hafeez Saeed are proving to be a recipe for a new face off between the two neighbours.

Dismayed by Pakistan’s double speak and its refusal to accept the evidence provided by India in the sixth dossier, sources said “It is up to Pakistan to decide what relation they want with India”.

Hafeez Saeed and his organization are banned under UN resolution 1267 and he should be brought to books, the sources added.

Interpol has already issued Red corner notices against Hafeez Saeed and Lakhvi, the key suspects who masterminded the Mumbai terror attacks.

But Pakistan is still asking for concrete evidence from India.

The Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has already indicated that India may not respond to further demands from the Pakistan Government for information on the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai.

The apparent bitterness between the two neighbours is evident from the fact that the meeting between the foreign secretaries of the two countries is not yet finalized.

Sources have told ANI that no dates are fixed for the meetings so far.

It was decided between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Yusuf Raza Gilani at Sharm-al-Sheikh last month that foreign secretaries of both countries should meet more often and it was also decided that Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao should meet her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir before the ministers of both countries meet in New York.

The Pakistan Foreign office has also reportedly invited the Indian Foreign Secretary for talks in Islamabad, but no decision has been taken regarding her visit as if now, sources have told ANI.

India is also alarmed by the recent US reports about Pakistan’s increasing nuclear capabilities. The Indian Army chief has also expressed apprehensions over the development and has said that Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile is going beyond nuclear deterrence. He has also cautioned Pakistan over the rising ceasefire violations. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

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India and Russia discuss regional security, terrorism

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Moscow, Sep. 3 (ANI): Visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and her Russian counterpart Dmitry A. Medvedev met in the Green Reception Room of The Grand Kremlin Palace on Thursday.

The two leaders discussed regional security, Mumbai terror attacks, terrorism, and Afghanistan besides issues of bilateral and multi-lateral importance to both countries.

India and Russia noted that there were ample opportunities to further existing relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of space, energy including hydrocarbons and peaceful use of nuclear energy, high technologies, and military-techno cooperation.

The two sides also realised the fact that given the potential for economic cooperation that exists between the two countries, the levels of bilateral cooperation remain much below potential.

Both Patil and Medvedev called upon the private sectors in their respective countries to take a lead on this issue.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation to further strengthen the relation in future.

During the delegation-level talks, it was agreed to achieve the bilateral trade targets worth 10 billion US dollars by 2010.

President Patil also talked about the significance of women empowerment, which was heartily appreciated by President Medvedev, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told media.

The talks were held in a frank and friendly environment keeping in mind the strategic partnership between India and Russia.

A significant sidelight of today’s meeting in the Kremlin were famous songs from Bollywood movies-Mera Naam Joker, Shri 420, and others in which popular actor Raj Kapoor featured. Pankaj Choudhary(ANI)

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Indo-Pak Foreign Secy level talks in September: Pak FO

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug.29 (ANI): The Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks will be held in mid September in New York, the Pakistan Foreign Office has said.

According to sources, India Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will meet her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on the margins of the 64th UN General Assembly.

Sources said the prime focus in the meeting would be on preparing the agenda for the forthcoming talks between the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

The date and venue for the talks is yet to be finalized, The Dawn reports.

Pakistan’s dilly dallying attitude over prosecuting Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafeez Mohammad Saeed, the prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, has cast a shadow over the much awaited dialogue between India and Pakistan.

It may be recalled that the Secretary level talks between both countries in Sharm-el-Sheikh on the margins of the NAM summit had failed to produce any substantial results.

Despite some initial positive signals, the talks which were expected to set the tone of the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with his Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, failed to achieve any major breakthrough.

Diplomatic analysts, who are keeping a close watch on the developments, believed that the success of the secretary level talks was directly related to the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue, but for the time being neither country has revealed the future course of action.

Mixed signals coming from Islamabad on the appeal in the Supreme Court against the release of Saeed seem to have done the real damage. (ANI)

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