External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Wednesday said he is sceptical about the outcome of his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the absence of Pakistan acting against perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. Mr. Krishna also asked the US to be more circumspect in providing aid to Pakistan.<br/>Ahead of his meeting with Qureshi on Sunday, Mr. Krishna said only sincerity and seriousness on the part of Pakistan would provide a sound backdrop for a meaningful dialogue.<br/>In an interview to a Television channel Mr. Krishna said unless Pakistan government shows seriousness and sincerity in going after the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, an atmosphere of trust cannot be created between the two countries. He said he don't think an atmosphere of trust would have been created between India and Pakistan to proceed with a meaningful dialogue. He said everything depended on what Pakistan does between now and when the two foreign ministers meet.<br/>On India's concerns over Pakistan misusing American aid against it, Krishna said, it will be his endeavour to impress upon Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that at least from hereafter the US need to be circumspect in their aid which is provided to Pakistan.<br/>External Affairs Minister S M Krishna met his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama in New York and discussed the issue of resettlement of over 280,000 internally displaced persons in the island nation.The two leaders met on the sidelines of a Climate Change Summit convened at the United Nations. Talking to PTI Mr.Krishna said the discussion primarily covered the settlement of displaced persons. He said the Sri Lankan Minister said that the process of de-mining is going on and simultaneously the resettlement also is being done.<br/>Mr. Krishna, however, noted that he had not discussed devolution of power at this meeting.<br/>Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said he will adopt a positive approach for his meeting with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York.<br/>Qureshi told state-run PTV that he hope his engagement with Krishna will be meaningful.<br/>The two Foreign Ministers are expected to meet after talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir.<br/>This will be the first high-level contact between India and Pakistan since the premiers of the two countries met at Sharm el-Sheikh in July.<br/>
News On AIR | September 23, 2009 2:26 PM
‘Krishna sceptical about positive outcome of talks with Pak FM