'India's politics hindering resumption of talks'

Islamabad, Aug 30: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that India's internal politics was the prime reason behind New Delhi's reluctance to restart the composite peace dialogue.

Interacting with media persons at the Foreign Office here, Qureshi said it is evident that India's foreign policy was influenced by its domestic politics.

Referring to the furor over the expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh's book, Jinnah -India, Partition, Independence, Qureshi questioned the integrity of Indian leadership.

"A former Indian foreign minister writes a book. You can say you do not agree with it or intellectually challenge it. The reaction to Jaswant Singh's book shows a certain mindset. They are falling prey to this. Who has the positive approach? Mumbai attacks were sad, very sad and I condemn them, but then what is the way out? Qureshi asked

"Should we then give our agenda to terrorists? Where is the leadership in India? Politicians find ways out of blind alleys. What more can I say?" he added.

Commenting on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that situations were not conducive for bilateral talks between India and Pakistan to resume, Qureshi said dialogues were the only option left for both countries.

"War is suicidal. When war is not an option, the only option left is talks," The News quoted Qureshi, as saying.

ANI