India decides to have Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pak

New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) In an ice-breaking decision, India
has offered to have Foreign Secretary-level talks with
Pakistan to discuss terrorism and any other issue that could
lead to peace between the two neighbours.
The offer of talks has been made to Pakistan and a reply
is awaited, sources said here Thursday about the decision that
marks softening of India's post-26/11 stance apparently
because Pakistan government has produced evidence in court
against those held in connection with Mumbai terror attacks.
At the talks, India intends to raise the issue of
terrorism and any other matter that could "contribute to
creating an atmosphere of peace and security" between the two
countries, the sources said.
India will "enter into the discussions with an open and
positive mind" and will raise all "relevant issues," they
said.
On the outcome of the proposed meeting, the sources said
this should not be pre-judged.
There was, however, no indication whether the proposed
Foreign Secretary-level talks could lead to resumption of
composite dialogue under which eight outstanding issues,
including Jammu and Kashmir, were being discussed prior to the
November 26, 2008 attacks in Mumbai.
India had suspended the composite dialogue after Mumbai
terror attacks and refused to restart the process before it
could see any concrete action being taken by Pakistan in
punishing those behind the carnage.

While Pakistan has been repeatedly pressing for
resumption of composite dialogue, India has maintained that it
would not be worthwhile till concrete action is taken by
Pakistan to punish those behind the Mumbai attacks and
dismantle the terror infrastructure.
The offer of talks comes as Pakistan produced evidence
against arrested Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including
its commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in a court in connection
with the Mumbai attacks.
The evidence was based on a series of dossiers provided
to Pakistan by India in connection with the incident.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had indicated two
days ago about resumption of the talks when he had said "doors
for talks were never shut" and that India would be satisfied
if Pakistan takes "a few steps" with regard to investigations
into the 26/11 carnage.
The decision on talks came as Home Minister P Chidambaram
prepares to travel to Pakistan on February 26 to attend the
SAARC Interior Ministers' Conference, which will mark the
first high-level visit from India since the November 2008
attacks.
During his visit, Chidambaram is likely to have a
bilateral meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik
and some other leaders. PTI AKK
DDC