New Delhi says India and Pakistan need a graduated approach to discuss all issues and first thing to be addressed is the trust deficit. The Foreign Secretary Mrs Nirupama Rao told a private TV Channel that more and more people to people contact, addressing humanitarian issues, enhancing trade and connectivity and addressing the issue of terrorism and extremism against India is a must for building a better atmosphere for holding talks. Referring to the recent talks between the Prime Ministers of the two countries she said that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh raised the issue of terrorism and violent extremism in the talks. Mrs Rao said that the two leaders were able to convey at the highest level that there is a need for sustained, serious and comprehensive dialogue and this is important for normalising the bilateral relations. In response to a question she said despite differences on Kashmir, New Delhi is keen to establish better relations with the neighbouring country. She however cautioned that there are groups and forces in Pakistan who have a destructive agenda supporting violence and extremism against India.Mrs Rao said that India is open to the idea of sending the cricket team to Pakistan. She however brought to the fore the security concerns for the team in that country. In reply to a question the Foreign Secretary said that there is a possibility of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visiting Pakistan but nothing has been decided yet. She elaborated that a lot of preparatory has to be done before such a visit takes place.
News On AIR | April 6, 2011 5:47 PM
India, Pakistan need to address trust deficit first, says New Delhi